Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Drafters, all other, work in a specialized technical field that combines computers, mathematics, mechanical knowledge, and strong attention to detail. Nationally, about 17,000 people are employed in this occupation, with a national median annual salary of $62,010. The field shows a projected employment change of -6.9%, so competition for roles may be tighter, but there are still an estimated 1,000 annual openings across the country. This suggests ongoing replacement and transition opportunities even as overall employment declines. The role favors people who are comfortable with computers and information technology, analytical and critical thinking, and careful, detailed work. Creativity and innovation, fine motor abilities, and mechanical understanding also play an important part. For students, career changers, and experienced workers with an interest in technical drawing and problem solving, drafters, all other, can offer a defined career path, especially for those who build strong skills and are thoughtful about geographic and employer choices.
Drafters, all other, earn a national median annual salary of $62,010. Pay levels vary by location, with several states and metro areas offering notably higher median salaries. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $73,390, followed by Washington at $72,800, New York at $72,190, and Massachusetts at $72,100. Colorado’s median is $67,320, above the national median as well. At the metro level, salary differences are even more pronounced. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro reports a median salary of $90,850, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ show medians of $82,360 and $81,220, respectively. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH has a median of $74,380. These figures indicate that location choice can significantly shape earning potential within this occupation.
Nationally, drafters, all other, account for about 17,000 jobs, with a projected employment change of -6.9%. This indicates an overall decline in total employment for the occupation. Despite this projected decrease, there are still about 1,000 annual openings. These openings can reflect needs such as workers changing jobs, retiring, or leaving the occupation, which continue to generate hiring demand even as overall employment shrinks. Because the total number of jobs is modest and the outlook is negative, prospective drafters should expect a more competitive environment and may want to be deliberate about location, skills, and career planning. For those already in the field, understanding the projected decline can help guide decisions about upskilling, lateral moves, or exploring related roles such as architectural and civil drafters, mechanical drafters, electrical and electronics drafters, computer programmers, or cartographers and photogrammetrists.
Geography plays a major role in opportunity for drafters, all other. At the state level, California has the highest CareerGPS opportunity score at 67.38, with 1,750 employed and a median salary of $73,390. Massachusetts and New York follow closely with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, and median salaries just above $72,000. Washington and Colorado also appear among the top states by opportunity score, with median salaries of $72,800 and $67,320, respectively. All of these states share the same projected growth rate of -6.9%, so their differences are driven primarily by pay levels, current employment, and overall opportunity score. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ stand out, both with opportunity scores above 77 and median salaries over $80,000, including $90,850 in San Jose. Other strong metros include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, each with solid opportunity scores and varied salary profiles.
The typical education requirement for drafters, all other, is an associate's degree. This level of education aligns with the occupation’s blend of technical, analytical, and practical skills. Success in this field draws heavily on comfort with computers and information technology, as well as mathematics and science. The work favors people who are detail oriented and capable of strong critical and analytical thinking, since precision and accuracy are important. Creativity and innovation also matter, alongside fine motor abilities and mechanical understanding. Writing and reading skills support documentation and communication, while adaptability helps workers adjust to new tools or project requirements. For students and career changers, focusing education and training on these areas—especially computer-related and quantitative skills—can support entry into the occupation and later transitions to related roles such as architectural and civil drafters, mechanical drafters, electrical and electronics drafters, computer programmers, or cartographers and photogrammetrists.
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