Salary AI Book a Demo

Architect-Draftsman Salary in California

How much does an Architect-Draftsman make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architect-Draftsman in California is $73,478 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, an Architect-Draftsman's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,822
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,398 to $79,416
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,863
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Architect-Draftsman Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Architect-Draftsman Salaries

An Architect-Draftsman's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Architect-Draftsman Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architect-Draftsman's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $72,241
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $82,249
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,585
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $128,698
  • Expert (over 8 years): $150,790
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Architect-Draftsman less than 1 year $72,241
CAD Drafter II 1-2 years $82,249
CAD Drafter III 2-4 years $99,585
CAD Drafter IV 5-8 years $128,698
CAD Drafter V over 8 years $150,790

How Do Architect-Draftsman Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Architect-Draftsmans. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $73,758.
  • California: $73,478.
  • Massachusetts: $72,499.

Top Paying Cities for Architect-Draftsman

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $73,605
  • West Hollywood: $73,551
  • Dodgertown: $73,604

Architect-Draftsman Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architect-Draftsman roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Architect-Draftsman positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architect-Draftsman as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architect-Draftsman

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $88,174 $42.0 20%
Business Services $86,704 $42.0 18%
Construction $85,235 $41.0 16%
Energy & Utilities $83,765 $40.0 14%
Healthcare $82,295 $40.0 12%

Architect-Draftsman Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Architect-Draftsman's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$67,398
Average $73,478/year
$79,416
$5,617
Average $6,123/month
$6,618
$1,296
Average $1,413/week
$1,527
$32
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,416 $6,618 $1,527 $38
Average $73,478 $6,123 $1,413 $35
25th Percentile $67,398 $5,617 $1,296 $32

Find Your Next Architect-Draftsman Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Architect-Draftsman job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • PARSONS COMPANY, INC | RESTON, VA

    Software Architect

    PARSONS COMPANY, INC | RESTON, VA

    In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next. At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptio... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Core Weave | WASHINGTON, DC

    Solutions Architect

    Core Weave | WASHINGTON, DC

    CoreWeave is The Essential Cloud for AI™. Built for pioneers by pioneers, CoreWeave delivers a platform of technology, tools, and teams that enables innova... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Laird Norton Wetherby | WASHINGTON, DC

    Solutions Architect

    Laird Norton Wetherby | WASHINGTON, DC

    Location: Seattle, WA or San Francisco, CA (Full-time, Partially Remote) We are seeking a highly skilled Solutions Architect to lead the design and deliver... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. | MARYLAND, MD

    Solution Architect

    Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. | MARYLAND, MD

    Solution Architect The Opportunity: At a certain point, experience-based system design can start to look like clairvoyance. When you’ve developed so many s... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Skyward IT Solutions | ROCKVILLE, MD

    Solutions Architect

    Skyward IT Solutions | ROCKVILLE, MD

    We are Skyward. That is, a love for people, for improvement, for human advancement through information technology. We are a people-centered business with a... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Inizio Partners | JERSEY CITY, NJ

    Solution Architect

    Inizio Partners | JERSEY CITY, NJ

    Job Title: Solution Architect Location: Charlotte/ Jersey City - Onsite Experience: 12 years Employment Type: Contract Key Responsibilities: Architect, des... more

    6 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst