Mechanical Drafter salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Mechanical Drafters in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $83,550 a year ($40.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,870 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 1% higher than the California statewide median of $82,510. There are 0.24 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| 25th percentile | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| Median | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| 75th percentile | $107,380 | $51.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,870 | $62.92 |
| Average (mean) | $90,030 | $43.28 |
Half of mechanical 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 | $6,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,481.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,213.46 |
| Weekly | $1,606.73 |
| Hourly | $40.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,310 | 390 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,450 | 240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $80,780 | 1,480 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $79,180 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $78,990 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,790 | 180 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $76,520 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $76,170 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $75,610 | 350 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $75,560 | 30 |
| Fresno, CA | $69,850 | 70 |
| Modesto, CA | $66,060 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical drafters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $89,940 |
| Colorado | $85,280 |
| New Jersey | $83,380 |
| California | $82,510 |
| Texas | $79,380 |
| Louisiana | $77,730 |
| North Dakota | $77,570 |
| Washington | $76,820 |
| Maryland | $76,740 |
| New York | $76,490 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $91,620 | $44.05 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $92,480 | $44.46 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,840 | $38.86 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,020 | $27.89 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,800 | $37.41 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $74,520 | $35.83 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| Drafters, All Other | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $86,280 | $41.48 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $92,360 | $44.41 |
| Civil Engineer | $108,900 | $52.35 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3013. 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 mechanical drafter make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $83,550 a year, or $40.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $130,870 a year. The top 25% earn $107,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,780 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $68,470 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 370 mechanical drafters are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.