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Salary

How much does a Design Drafter make?

The average salary for a Design Drafter is $62,019 per year in the US.

A Design Drafter plays an important role in creating technical drawings. This job often requires special skills and knowledge, so it pays well. The average yearly salary for Design Drafters is around $62,019. This means that most Design Drafters earn somewhere near this amount each year.


The salary can change based on a few factors. These factors include experience, location, and the industry. For example, someone with more years of experience might earn more than someone just starting out. People working in big cities might also earn more than those in smaller towns. Here is a list of possible salaries based on experience level:

  • 10% of Design Drafters earn less than $40,000.
  • 25% earn between $40,000 and $51,000.
  • 50% earn between $51,000 and $67,000.
  • 75% earn between $67,000 and $89,000.
  • 90% earn less than $100,000.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Design Drafter?

Design Drafters can find some of the best opportunities in Milwaukee, WI, where they earn the highest average salary at $88,064. San Diego, CA, and Minneapolis, MN follow closely with average salaries of $78,860 and $69,823, respectively. Other cities with good prospects include Buffalo, NY, and Dallas, TX, offering competitive salaries for skilled professionals.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Design Drafter jobs, highlighting Milwaukee, WI with the highest at $88,064 and Chattanooga, TN with the lowest at $59,496.
  1. Milwaukee, WI
    Average Salary: $88,064
    In Milwaukee, professionals often work with architectural firms. Companies like Johnson Controls and MillerCoors provide many opportunities. The city's strong manufacturing sector also offers solid job prospects.
    Find Design Drafter jobs in Milwaukee, WI


  2. San Diego, CA
    Average Salary: $78,860
    San Diego boasts a vibrant job market for those in this field. Major companies such as Qualcomm and biotech firms need skilled drafters. The city's diverse industries offer numerous opportunities for career growth.
    Find Design Drafter jobs in San Diego, CA


  3. Minneapolis, MN
    Average Salary: $69,823
    Minneapolis offers a dynamic environment for drafters. Companies like Target Corporation and 3M often require these skills. The city's focus on innovation provides a stable job market.
    Find Design Drafter jobs in Minneapolis, MN


  4. Buffalo, NY
    Average Salary: $64,082
    Buffalo provides many opportunities in this field. Companies like General Electric and Tops Markets seek skilled drafters. The city's manufacturing roots make it a good place for professionals in this area.
    Find Design Drafter jobs in Buffalo, NY


  5. Dallas, TX
    Average Salary: $63,093
    In Dallas, drafters find work in many industries. Companies such as ExxonMobil and AT&T often need these professionals. The city's growing economy provides many job opportunities.
    Find Design Drafter jobs in Dallas, TX


  6. Virginia Beach, VA
    Average Salary: $61,988
    Virginia Beach offers a range of opportunities for drafters. Companies like Sentara Healthcare and the U.S. Navy are big employers. The city's strong economy supports a stable job market.
    Find Design Drafter jobs in Virginia Beach, VA


  7. Tampa, FL
    Average Salary: $61,032
    Tampa's job market for drafters is growing. Companies like Siemens and Florida Hospital offer many openings. The city's warm climate and growing industries make it an attractive place to work.
    Find Design Drafter jobs in Tampa, FL


  8. Louisville, KY
    Average Salary: $60,480
    Louisville provides many opportunities for drafters. Major employers like UPS and Norton Healthcare often need these professionals. The city's strong manufacturing sector offers solid job prospects.
    Find Design Drafter jobs in Louisville, KY


  9. Greensboro, NC
    Average Salary: $60,370
    Greensboro offers many job opportunities for drafters. Companies like Hitachi and Volvo Group North America often seek these skills. The city's growing economy supports a stable job market.
    Find Design Drafter jobs in Greensboro, NC


  10. Chattanooga, TN
    Average Salary: $59,496
    Chattanooga provides a range of opportunities for drafters. Companies like Volkswagen Group of America and EPB offer many openings. The city's focus on manufacturing and innovation makes it a good place to work.
    Find Design Drafter jobs in Chattanooga, TN

What are the best companies a Design Drafter can work for?

Top employers like Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sargent & Lundy offer great jobs for Design Drafters. These companies provide competitive salaries, with Los Alamos National Laboratory offering an average salary of $88,206. Sargent & Lundy pays an average of $51,138. These jobs offer stability and opportunities for career growth.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Design Drafter jobs, highlighting Los Alamos National Laboratory with the highest at $88,206 and Sargent & Lundy with the lowest at $51,138.
  1. Los Alamos National Laboratory
    Average Salary: $88,206
    Los Alamos National Laboratory offers exciting opportunities for Design Drafters. This prestigious research facility operates in New Mexico, with a focus on national security, science, and technology. The Design Drafters here work on complex projects, contributing to the nation's safety and scientific progress.


  2. Sargent & Lundy
    Average Salary: $51,138
    Sargent & Lundy is a well-known engineering firm that values skilled Design Drafters. With offices across the United States, this company specializes in power generation and infrastructure. Design Drafters at Sargent & Lundy create detailed designs for various engineering projects, helping to build and maintain critical infrastructure.

How to earn more as a Design Drafter?

A Design Drafter can find several ways to increase their earnings. Mastery of specific skills and tools can lead to higher-paying positions. Experience and education often play a key role in salary increases. Specializing in certain industries can also command better rates. Networking and staying current with industry trends are essential for salary growth. Seeking out opportunities for advancement within a company can also lead to higher earnings.

To boost earning potential, consider the following steps. Start with enhancing your skill set. Learn advanced software and design tools. Obtain relevant certifications. Pursue higher education, if possible. Specialize in a niche area of design drafting. Build a strong professional network. Attend industry events and join professional organizations. Stay updated on the latest industry trends. Look for opportunities to take on leadership roles. These actions can help a Design Drafter earn more in their career.

Here are five factors that can help a Design Drafter earn more:

  1. Skill Enhancement: Mastering advanced software and tools can increase your value.
  2. Experience: Gaining more years of experience often leads to higher pay.
  3. Education: Pursuing higher education or certifications can boost your salary.
  4. Specialization: Focusing on a specific industry or niche can command higher rates.
  5. Networking: Building a strong professional network can lead to better job opportunities.

Currently 68 Design Drafter job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Design Drafter in the US?

Learn what a Design Drafter does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Design Drafter today.
Position
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Design Drafter
68 Job Openings