Mechanical Drafter salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Mechanical Drafters in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $98,310 a year ($47.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,320 for the top 10%. That is 37% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 19% higher than the California statewide median of $82,510. There are 0.16 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $98,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,550 | $33.44 |
| 25th percentile | $81,210 | $39.04 |
| Median | $98,310 | $47.27 |
| 75th percentile | $119,420 | $57.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| Average (mean) | $98,950 | $47.57 |
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 | $8,192.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,096.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,781.15 |
| Weekly | $1,890.58 |
| Hourly | $47.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,310 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,450 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $83,550 | 370 |
| 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $81,130 | $39.00 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $91,020 | $43.76 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $97,510 | $46.88 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $83,940 | $40.35 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $84,360 | $40.56 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $84,680 | $40.71 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $109,990 | $52.88 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,780 | $41.24 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $99,660 | $47.91 |
| Drafters, All Other | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Civil Engineer | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Industrial Engineer | $132,230 | $63.57 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $98,310 a year, or $47.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $125,320 a year. The top 25% earn $119,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,550 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $81,210 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
About 390 mechanical drafters are employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.