Mechanical Drafters Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $94,180 +37.5% vs national
Median hourly $45.28
10th percentile $64,230
90th percentile $128,060
Employed locally 550
National median $68,510

Compare Mechanical Drafters salary & buying power

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Mechanical Drafters
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $64,230
    25th
    $81,160
    50th (median)
    $94,180
    75th
    $115,560
    90th
    $128,060

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Drafters salary vs area income 70% Median Mechanical Drafters salary is 30% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Drafters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $111,820
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $88,540
    Colorado Springs, CO $87,860
    Boulder, CO $86,500
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $86,230
    Reno, NV $85,230

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Drafters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $111,820
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $84,790
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $83,840
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $81,180
    California $80,430
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $79,010

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $126,560
    Computer Hardware Engineers $172,920
    Engineers, All Other $156,140
    Mechanical Engineers $145,640
    Industrial Engineers $133,790
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $125,950

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in San Francisco, CA is $45.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.25 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in San Francisco, CA is 37.5% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $64,230 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $81,160.