Mechanical Drafters Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $111,820 +63.2% vs national
Median hourly $53.76
10th percentile $66,370
90th percentile $185,570
Employed locally 250
National median $68,510

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Mechanical Drafters
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,370
    25th
    $86,850
    50th (median)
    $111,820
    75th
    $149,650
    90th
    $185,570

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Drafters salary vs area income 71% Median Mechanical Drafters salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Drafters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Reno, NV $85,230

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Drafters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $79,010

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer Hardware Engineers $197,090
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $179,050
    Electrical Engineers $186,920
    Mechanical Engineers $147,730
    Industrial Engineers $136,290
    Engineers, All Other $157,770

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in San Jose, CA is $53.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.71 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in San Jose, CA is 63.2% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $66,370 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $86,850.