Salary AI Book a Demo

Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer Salary in California

How much does an Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer in California is $63,045 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, an Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,163
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,342 to $71,481
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,060
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer Salaries

An Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer'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 Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer'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): $60,987
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $61,521
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $63,279
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $63,631
  • Expert (over 8 years): $63,865
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer less than 1 year $60,987
Early Career Level Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer 1-2 years $61,521
Mid-Level Level Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer 2-4 years $63,279
Senior-Level Level Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer 5-8 years $63,631
Expert Level Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer over 8 years $63,865

How Do Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer 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 Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $63,285.
  • California: $63,045.
  • Massachusetts: $62,205.

Top Paying Cities for Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer

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: $63,153
  • West Hollywood: $63,108
  • Dodgertown: $63,153

Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $78,806 $38.0 25%
Financial Services $75,654 $36.0 20%
Internet $72,501 $35.0 15%
Biotechnology $69,349 $33.0 10%
Healthcare $69,349 $33.0 10%

Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer'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 September 01, 2026
$58,342
Average $63,045/year
$71,481
$4,862
Average $5,254/month
$5,957
$1,122
Average $1,212/week
$1,375
$28
Average $30/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $71,481 $5,957 $1,375 $34
Average $63,045 $5,254 $1,212 $30
25th Percentile $58,342 $4,862 $1,122 $28

Find Your Next Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Architectural Drafter/Graphic Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • PM DESIGN INC | Irvine, CA

    Sr Architectural Designer

    PM DESIGN INC | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Join Our Growing Design Team. PM Design Inc is seeking a talented. Senior Architectural Designer. to help deliver innovat... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Luxus | Irvine, CA

    Senior Architectural Designer

    Luxus | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Senior Designer. Company Name. MCG Architecture. Location. Irvine, CA. Project Focus. Retail, Mixed-Use, Hospitality, Off... more

    4 Days Ago

  • 10design | San Francisco, CA

    Senior Architectural Designer

    10design | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. 10 Design, part of Egis Group, is an international architecture and master planning practice with of... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Timeline Design + Build | Saratoga, CA

    Architectural&amp Interior Designer

    Timeline Design + Build | Saratoga, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Overview. As a Designer, you will be responsible for creating innovative, functional, and aesthetically pleasing design s... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Blue Heron Companies | LAS VEGAS, NV

    Technical Designer

    Blue Heron Companies | LAS VEGAS, NV

    The Technical Designer is responsible for supporting the effective, high quality, and timely delivery of multiple luxury residential design build projects ... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Drexel Building Supply | WRIGHTSTOWN, WI

    Truss Designer

    Drexel Building Supply | WRIGHTSTOWN, WI

    The Drexel Way. We don't just sell lumber. we Supply. Happiness. Drexel is Team Member-owned and community-driven. With six retail hubs and three manufactu... more

    23 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