Mechanical Drafter salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Mechanical Drafters in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $79,180 a year ($38.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,330 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 4% lower 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 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $82,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| 25th percentile | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Median | $79,180 | $38.07 |
| 75th percentile | $101,780 | $48.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| Average (mean) | $82,960 | $39.89 |
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 | $6,598.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,299.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,045.38 |
| Weekly | $1,522.69 |
| Hourly | $38.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,180 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 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $83,550 | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $80,780 | 1,480 |
| 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $73,930 | $35.54 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $83,040 | $39.92 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $76,500 | $36.78 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $84,410 | $40.58 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $71,940 | $34.59 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $64,030 | $30.78 |
| Civil Engineer | $119,980 | $57.68 |
| Engineers, All Other | $136,650 | $65.70 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $121,130 | $58.23 |
| Industrial Engineer | $119,790 | $57.59 |
| Electrical Engineer | $134,640 | $64.73 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $103,820 | $49.92 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,810 | $65.30 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $79,180 a year, or $38.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $106,330 a year. The top 25% earn $101,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,720 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $64,060 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 30 mechanical drafters are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.