Salary guide
CAD Drafter Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What CAD drafters earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median CAD drafter salary in the U.S. is $66,150 per year, or $31.80 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $46,260, while the top 10% earned more than $99,710.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
CAD Drafter pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,260 | $22.24 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $55,650 | $26.75 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $66,150 | $31.80 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $80,870 | $38.88 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $99,710 | $47.94 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $55,650 | $66,150 | $80,870 |
| Per month | $4,638 | $5,513 | $6,739 |
| Every two weeks | $2,140 | $2,544 | $3,110 |
| Per week | $1,070 | $1,272 | $1,555 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects CAD drafter pay
- Education level (associate, bachelor’s or graduate degree)
- Industry (semiconductors, energy, pharmaceuticals and federal labs often pay more)
- Licenses and certifications such as the PE, FE or ASCP
- Specialized instruments, software and regulated-lab experience
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a CAD drafter
- Get credentialed: Autodesk Certified Professional, ADDA Certified Drafter, Revit Certified Professional.
- Build specialty experience: Produce drawing sets.
- Move up: roles such as senior drafter or bim specialist and designer or bim manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
CAD Drafter pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of CAD drafters to change by +5.2% from 2025–35, faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 9,100 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 17-3011 (“Architectural and civil drafters”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
CAD Drafter salary FAQ
How much does a CAD drafter make per hour?
The median hourly wage for CAD drafters was $31.80 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $22.24 and the top 10% earned about $47.94 or more.
How much does a CAD drafter make a month?
At the median annual wage of $66,150, that works out to about $5,513 per month before taxes, or about $2,544 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a CAD drafter?
New CAD drafters often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $46,260 and the 25th percentile was $55,650 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can CAD drafters earn more?
Common ways include earning Autodesk Certified Professional and ADDA Certified Drafter, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as senior drafter or bim specialist.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 17-3011 (Architectural and civil drafters).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Architectural and civil drafters (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.