What is the salary range for a Drafter?

Drafter salaries typically range between a low of $18.31 and a high of $41.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.

Which cities pay the most for Drafter?

Some of the highest-paying cities for Drafter include Longwood, FL at $31.96 per hour, Columbus, OH at $30.37 per hour, and Houston, TX at $29.55 per hour.

Which companies pay the highest salaries for Drafter?

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Drafter include Intuitive ($260,000 per year) and GovCIO ($176,800 per year).

How does the salary of a Drafter compare to similar roles?

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Drafter salary compares to related positions: Senior Drafter: Average $34.40 per hour Entry Level Drafter: Average $23.26 per hour Junior Drafter: Average $24.78 per hour

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Drafter salary in United States

Q: What is the average salary for a Drafter in the United States?

The average salary for a Drafter is $27.69 per hour in the United States. This figure is based on 3.4k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on August 16, 2026. Find your next high paying job as a Drafter on Indeed today

How much does a Drafter make in the United States?

Average base salary

$27.69

Average $27.69

Low $18.31

High $41.89

The average salary for a drafter is $27.69 per hour in the United States. 3.4k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated August 16, 2026).

What Does a Drafter Do?

A draftsperson works in certain industries that require the use of technical drawings to complete and produce a product. For instance, one draftsperson may create schematics for mechanical toys while another assembles designs for airplanes. Depending on the preference of the employer, the duties of a draftsperson may vary between work opportunities, however, most drafting positions involve:

Generating 2D drawings or 3D models of architectural, engineering or manufacturing designs by using CAD or similar software
Calculating the dimensions and other physical components of the design to ensure the technical drawing has the correct scale
Archiving building schematics to use and reference in the future
Coordinating with other construction team professionals to discuss the product requirements necessary to complete technical drawings and negotiate changes
Creating charts and layouts that show the workflow plan for a construction project, including what materials, building tools and computer software they instruct the team to use
Improving the functionality of an existing building or product
Designing manuals to describe the features, upkeep procedures and operational instructions of a completed product

A draftsperson who works in a particular industry may also perform specialized tasks. Here is a list of some industry-specific drafters and the type of work they do:

Architectural: Create schematics using architectural designs for the construction of residential or commercial buildings. These builders also may merge other structural elements into the drawing, like engineering items.
Aeronautical drafters: Compile technical drawings for the creation and production of airplanes, mechanical projectiles and similar products.
Civil engineering drafters: Assemble construction drawings and terrain layouts to use in public infrastructure projects, including bridges, sewage systems and highways.
Electrical drafters: Draw layout plans for construction workers who install electrical wiring and other equipment in buildings or electrical power systems.
Electronics drafters: Prepare the wiring and circuit schematics needed to create or repair smaller components of electrical equipment.
Mechanical drafters: Create construction plans for machines and other mechanical equipment, including how to affix each part in the correct location.
Fuel pipeline drafters: Determine the layout and construction protocols of piping systems in chemical plants, oil refineries and other locations that require fuel-based pipe.
Set designer drafters: Provide schematics and models so production teams and departments can construct film or theater sets.

Learn more about what a Drafter does