Mechanical Drafters Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $83,840 +22.4% vs national
Median hourly $40.31
10th percentile $59,280
90th percentile $135,570
Employed locally 390
National median $68,510

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Mechanical Drafters
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,280
    25th
    $68,960
    50th (median)
    $83,840
    75th
    $105,840
    90th
    $135,570

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 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
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $81,180
    California $80,430
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $79,010

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $106,350
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $153,110
    Mechanical Engineers $128,660
    Engineers, All Other $130,550
    Computer Hardware Engineers $169,230
    Industrial Engineers $114,400

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Drafters make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in San Diego, CA is $40.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.92 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Mechanical Drafters salaries?

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in San Diego, CA is 22.4% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $59,280 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,960.