Mechanical Drafters Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $70,410 +2.8% vs national
Median hourly $33.85
10th percentile $45,870
90th percentile $103,600
Employed locally 330
National median $68,510

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Mechanical Drafters
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,870
    25th
    $54,630
    50th (median)
    $70,410
    75th
    $85,700
    90th
    $103,600

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Drafters salary vs area income 82% Median Mechanical Drafters salary is 18% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Drafters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $111,820
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $94,180
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $88,540
    Colorado Springs, CO $87,860
    Boulder, CO $86,500
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $86,230

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Drafters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $111,820
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $94,180
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $84,790
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $83,840
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $81,180
    California $80,430

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $109,250
    Mechanical Engineers $101,800
    Industrial Engineers $103,330
    Engineers, All Other $106,220
    Electrical Engineers $109,360
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $64,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Drafters make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in Riverside, CA is $33.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $54.40 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Mechanical Drafters salaries?

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in Riverside, CA is 2.8% above the national median of $68,510. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mechanical Drafters in Riverside?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $45,870 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $54,630.