Salary AI Book a Demo

CAD Drafter Salary in South Dakota

How much does a CAD Drafter make in South Dakota? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAD Drafter in South Dakota is $85,494 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a CAD Drafter's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $99,956
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,320 to $93,064
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,788
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out CAD Drafter Job Openings in South Dakota

Key Factors That Influence CAD Drafter Salaries

A CAD Drafter'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 CAD Drafter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAD Drafter'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): $60,875
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $69,308
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $83,917
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $108,444
  • Expert (over 8 years): $127,061
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
CAD Drafter I less than 1 year $60,875
CAD Drafter II 1-2 years $69,308
CAD Drafter 2-4 years $83,917
CAD Drafter IV 5-8 years $108,444
CAD Drafter V over 8 years $127,061

How Do CAD Drafter 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 CAD Drafters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $104,158.
  • California: $103,763.
  • Massachusetts: $102,380.

Top Paying Cities for CAD Drafter

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:

  • Alcester: $86,385
  • Aurora: $86,844
  • Baltic: $85,910

CAD Drafter Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAD Drafter roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Transportation and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, CAD Drafter positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAD Drafter as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAD Drafter

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Transportation $111,142 $53.0 30%
Energy & Utilities $94,043 $45.0 10%
Financial Services $94,043 $45.0 10%
Software & Networking $92,333 $44.0 8%
Biotechnology $89,769 $43.0 5%

CAD Drafter Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAD Drafter'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
$78,320
Average $85,494/year
$93,064
$6,527
Average $7,124/month
$7,755
$1,506
Average $1,644/week
$1,790
$38
Average $41/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $93,064 $7,755 $1,790 $45
Average $85,494 $7,124 $1,644 $41
25th Percentile $78,320 $6,527 $1,506 $38

Find Your Next CAD Drafter Job

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

  • INTEGRIS Health | EDMOND, OK

    Occupational Therapist OT

    INTEGRIS Health | EDMOND, OK

    Join our team as a Day Shift, Regular Part Time Inpatient Occupational Therapist at INTEGRIS Health Edmond Hospital in Edmond, OK. Get to Know Your Team. I... more

    1 Month Ago

  • Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital | OMAHA, NE

    Physical Therapist

    Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital | OMAHA, NE

    Full Time, Part Time, On Call and PRN positions available. Responsible for planning and administering physical therapy treatment programs for patients to r... more

    2 Months Ago

  • INTEGRIS Health | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

    Occupational Therapist OT

    INTEGRIS Health | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

    Join our team as a day shift, full-time, Occupational Therapist for Outpatient Float Pool at INTEGRIS Health in Oklahoma City, OK. Get to Know Your Team. I... more

    2 Months Ago

  • INTEGRIS Health | MIAMI, OK

    Occupational Therapist OT

    INTEGRIS Health | MIAMI, OK

    Join our team as a Day Shift, Full-Time Outpatient / Acute Occupational Therapist at INTEGRIS Health Miami Hospital in Miami, OK. You may be eligible for a... more

    3 Months Ago

  • H2 Health & Wellness | LITTLETON, CO

    Outpatient Physical Therapist

    H2 Health & Wellness | LITTLETON, CO

    Outpatient Physical Therapist. H2 Health & Wellness – Littleton, CO. Are you a Physical Therapist who loves teamwork, connection, and helping people move a... more

    3 Months Ago

  • Butt Thornton & Baehr PC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM

    Associate Attorney

    Butt Thornton & Baehr PC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM

    For more than 60 years, Butt Thornton & Baehr PC (BTB) has built a reputation for quality, integrity, and excellence in New Mexico's business, legal, and g... more

    6 Months 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