Mechanical Drafters Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $75,560 +10.3% vs national
Median hourly $36.33
10th percentile $57,700
90th percentile $129,490
Employed locally 30
National median $68,510

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Mechanical Drafters
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San Luis Obispo, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $57,700
    25th
    $66,340
    50th (median)
    $75,560
    75th
    $100,120
    90th
    $129,490

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Drafters salary vs area income 81% Median Mechanical Drafters salary is 19% 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 San Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $110,920
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $68,630
    Mechanical Engineers $102,200
    Engineers, All Other $119,810
    Electrical Engineers $129,070
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $97,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Drafters make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in San Luis Obispo, CA is $36.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.26 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Mechanical Drafters salaries?

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 10.3% 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 Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $57,700 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,340.