Electrical and Electronics Drafters salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Electrical and Electronics Drafters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $81,230 a year ($39.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,850 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $76,870. Pay here is 26% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $64,650. There are 0.08 electrical and electronics drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $89,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electrical and electronics drafters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| 25th percentile | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Median | $81,230 | $39.05 |
| 75th percentile | $106,530 | $51.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,850 | $69.64 |
| Average (mean) | $89,350 | $42.96 |
Half of electrical and electronics drafters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,769.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,384.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,124.23 |
| Weekly | $1,562.12 |
| Hourly | $39.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Electrical and Electronics Drafters salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $72,930 | n/a |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $70,940 | 170 |
| Richmond, VA | $62,100 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $57,860 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for electrical and electronics drafters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $102,070 |
| New Mexico | $101,330 |
| Massachusetts | $87,290 |
| North Carolina | $81,960 |
| Idaho | $81,590 |
| Ohio | $80,840 |
| Georgia | $80,620 |
| Texas | $80,620 |
| Indiana | $80,100 |
| Utah | $79,360 |
See Electrical and Electronics Drafters pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,330 | $38.14 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,480 | $37.25 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,440 | $34.83 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $85,320 | $41.02 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Drafters, All Other | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $71,570 | $34.41 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $54,390 | $26.15 |
| Engineers, All Other | $151,340 | $72.76 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrical and electronics drafters make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for electrical and electronics drafters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $81,230 a year, or $39.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electrical and electronics drafters make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of electrical and electronics drafters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $144,850 a year. The top 25% earn $106,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for electrical and electronics drafters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,010 a year, and a quarter of electrical and electronics drafters earn $64,650 or less.
How many electrical and electronics drafters work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 250 electrical and electronics drafters are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.