Mechanical Drafter salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Mechanical Drafters in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $97,450 a year ($46.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,590 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 18% higher than the California statewide median of $82,510. There are 0.21 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $101,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| 25th percentile | $77,320 | $37.17 |
| Median | $97,450 | $46.85 |
| 75th percentile | $118,980 | $57.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,590 | $64.71 |
| Average (mean) | $101,310 | $48.71 |
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 | $8,120.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,060.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,748.08 |
| Weekly | $1,874.04 |
| Hourly | $46.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,450 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 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $95,280 | $45.81 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $90,660 | $43.59 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $84,670 | $40.71 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $77,030 | $37.04 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $96,680 | $46.48 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $115,530 | $55.54 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $98,020 | $47.12 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $101,840 | $48.96 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Drafters, All Other | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $209,860 | $100.89 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $194,370 | $93.45 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $97,450 a year, or $46.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $134,590 a year. The top 25% earn $118,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,310 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $77,320 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 240 mechanical drafters are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.