Drafting Engineers
Median Salary: $45,300
Many drafting engineers across the country share a few key professional traits. For example, NA can be critical for success in the industry, especially when coupled with career training. Around 18,290 individuals were working as drafting engineers nationwide in 2009. With that much workplace competition, it's crucial to develop these characteristics and receive good training, particularly if you're looking to advance in the field.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual income for drafting engineers in the U.S. was $45,300 in 2009, which works out to a median hourly wage of $21.80. Of course, income can vary with training and by location. Below, you'll find more data about drafting engineers, including wages and job density for metro areas all over the country.
Related Occupations
« Return to Career Information
Below, you'll see links to more information on the top cities for this occupation (based on the number of individuals working as drafting engineers). Note: "Job density" refers to the proportion of drafting engineers in each city as compared to the national average.
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 30 | $40,800 | $19.60 | $46,700 | $22.50 | -55% |
| Huntsville | 60 | $39,200 | $18.80 | $66,900 | $32.20 | 107.9% |
| Mobile | NA | $37,600 | $18.10 | $49,200 | $23.60 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 40 | $59,800 | $28.80 | $68,400 | $32.90 | 73.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 80 | $48,800 | $23.50 | $55,100 | $26.50 | -69.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | 30 | $31,900 | $15.30 | $70,300 | $33.80 | -15% |
| Los Angeles (Area) | 1,000 | $54,400 | $26.20 | $68,900 | $33.20 | 33.6% |
| Oakland | 160 | $66,000 | $31.70 | $78,900 | $37.90 | 17.1% |
| Oxnard | 30 | $48,900 | $23.50 | $54,200 | $26.10 | -19.3% |
| Riverside | 130 | $50,500 | $24.30 | $64,700 | $31.10 | -20% |
| Sacramento | 120 | $54,800 | $26.30 | $62,200 | $29.90 | -0.7% |
| San Diego | 140 | $51,700 | $24.90 | $66,500 | $32.00 | -21.4% |
| San Francisco (Area) | 290 | $70,400 | $33.80 | $84,400 | $40.60 | 4.3% |
| San Francisco (City) | 130 | $74,800 | $36.00 | $90,000 | $43.30 | -8.6% |
| San Jose | 290 | $48,700 | $23.40 | $61,600 | $29.60 | 134.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | 60 | $39,100 | $18.80 | $44,900 | $21.60 | 85% |
| Denver | 210 | $50,800 | $24.40 | $70,700 | $34.00 | 21.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | 40 | $42,400 | $20.40 | $55,500 | $26.70 | -37.9% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington (Area) | NA | $53,200 | $25.60 | $62,500 | $30.10 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradenton | NA | $33,900 | $16.30 | $44,400 | $21.30 | NA |
| Cape Coral | 110 | $34,800 | $16.70 | $42,300 | $20.30 | 281.4% |
| Fort Walton Beach | NA | $43,700 | $21.00 | $50,800 | $24.40 | NA |
| Jacksonville | NA | $49,500 | $23.80 | $57,500 | $27.70 | NA |
| Miami (Area) | 420 | $46,200 | $22.20 | $55,500 | $26.70 | 31.4% |
| Orlando | 150 | $47,100 | $22.70 | $67,600 | $32.50 | 10% |
| Palm Bay | 60 | $55,400 | $26.60 | $66,100 | $31.80 | 121.4% |
| Pensacola | NA | $29,500 | $14.20 | $33,400 | $16.10 | NA |
| Tallahassee | NA | $55,300 | $26.60 | $66,000 | $31.70 | NA |
| Tampa | 190 | $42,700 | $20.50 | $50,500 | $24.30 | 20% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 120 | $48,900 | $23.50 | $54,600 | $26.20 | -63.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | 60 | $49,700 | $23.90 | $56,500 | $27.20 | -4.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | NA | $25,200 | $12.10 | $28,300 | $13.60 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | 40 | $38,400 | $18.50 | $43,300 | $20.80 | 157.9% |
| Chicago (Area) | 1,020 | $45,400 | $21.80 | $53,700 | $25.80 | 62.1% |
| Rockford | 80 | $44,000 | $21.10 | $51,300 | $24.70 | 287.1% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | 90 | $38,700 | $18.60 | $47,800 | $23.00 | -22.1% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | 90 | $37,000 | $17.80 | $42,900 | $20.60 | 257.9% |
| Des Moines | 50 | $44,400 | $21.40 | $52,800 | $25.40 | 11.4% |
| Sioux City | NA | $46,000 | $22.10 | $51,200 | $24.60 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | NA | $45,400 | $21.80 | $62,500 | $30.00 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | 100 | $43,700 | $21.00 | $60,700 | $29.20 | 22.9% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 250 | $44,400 | $21.40 | $52,000 | $25.00 | 388.6% |
| Houma | 90 | $35,200 | $16.90 | $46,500 | $22.40 | 615.7% |
| Lafayette | 110 | $37,900 | $18.20 | $45,500 | $21.90 | 442.9% |
| Lake Charles | 40 | $41,400 | $19.90 | $52,200 | $25.10 | 211.4% |
| Monroe | NA | $35,500 | $17.10 | $39,400 | $18.90 | NA |
| New Orleans | 440 | $51,000 | $24.50 | $72,300 | $34.80 | 522.9% |
| Shreveport | 100 | $35,600 | $17.10 | $45,100 | $21.70 | 316.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | 50 | $47,800 | $23.00 | $63,700 | $30.60 | -73.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston (Area) | NA | $47,800 | $23.00 | $61,700 | $29.70 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit (Area) | 150 | $36,700 | $17.60 | $46,000 | $22.10 | -2.1% |
| Grand Rapids | 80 | $41,600 | $20.00 | $48,200 | $23.20 | 60.7% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | 320 | $47,300 | $22.70 | $57,300 | $27.50 | 30.7% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 230 | $47,700 | $22.90 | $60,000 | $28.90 | 65% |
| St. Louis | 160 | $53,500 | $25.70 | $64,300 | $30.90 | -12.9% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 80 | $44,100 | $21.20 | $52,100 | $25.00 | 245.7% |
| Omaha | 200 | $44,800 | $21.50 | $59,400 | $28.60 | 223.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | 70 | $37,400 | $18.00 | $49,600 | $23.80 | -40.7% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | NA | $46,600 | $22.40 | $54,500 | $26.20 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 90 | $37,900 | $18.20 | $47,700 | $22.90 | 55.7% |
| Buffalo | 100 | $40,200 | $19.30 | $56,900 | $27.40 | 37.1% |
| New York (Area) | 920 | $52,300 | $25.20 | $70,600 | $34.00 | -17.9% |
| Rochester | 40 | $41,800 | $20.10 | $52,700 | $25.30 | -37.1% |
| Syracuse | 60 | $35,700 | $17.20 | $43,800 | $21.10 | 29.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | NA | $44,500 | $21.40 | $51,100 | $24.60 | NA |
| Greensboro | NA | $104,400 | $50.20 | $111,500 | $53.60 | NA |
| Raleigh | 50 | $54,500 | $26.20 | $80,800 | $38.80 | -32.9% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 40 | $39,400 | $19.00 | $49,100 | $23.60 | -22.1% |
| Cincinnati | 170 | $53,600 | $25.80 | $61,400 | $29.50 | 25% |
| Cleveland | 140 | $40,500 | $19.50 | $50,900 | $24.50 | 0.7% |
| Columbus | 120 | $46,000 | $22.10 | $58,300 | $28.00 | -3.6% |
| Dayton | 40 | $38,900 | $18.70 | $45,300 | $21.80 | -32.1% |
| Youngstown | NA | $42,600 | $20.50 | $52,300 | $25.20 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | NA | $45,000 | $21.60 | $52,200 | $25.10 | NA |
| Tulsa | NA | $39,900 | $19.20 | $44,500 | $21.40 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | NA | $36,300 | $17.50 | $41,200 | $19.80 | NA |
| Portland | 160 | $41,900 | $20.10 | $50,500 | $24.30 | 12.1% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (Area) | 80 | $59,300 | $28.50 | $64,500 | $31.00 | -70.7% |
| Pittsburgh | 50 | $54,300 | $26.10 | $59,600 | $28.70 | -67.9% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 50 | $45,700 | $22.00 | $61,100 | $29.40 | -33.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | 50 | $37,900 | $18.20 | $46,100 | $22.20 | 72.9% |
| Johnson City | 40 | $41,100 | $19.80 | $50,300 | $24.20 | 234.3% |
| Knoxville | 120 | $32,300 | $15.50 | $45,100 | $21.70 | 155.7% |
| Memphis | 200 | $49,500 | $23.80 | $57,900 | $27.90 | 140% |
| Nashville | 100 | $44,500 | $21.40 | $51,500 | $24.70 | 0% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | 50 | $50,100 | $24.10 | $58,100 | $27.90 | -57.1% |
| Dallas (Area) | 210 | $41,600 | $20.00 | $53,200 | $25.60 | -45% |
| Houston | 490 | $54,000 | $26.00 | $70,900 | $34.10 | 36.4% |
| San Antonio | 80 | $40,100 | $19.30 | $45,300 | $21.80 | -29.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | 40 | $28,000 | $13.50 | $57,200 | $27.50 | 47.9% |
| Provo | NA | $23,100 | $11.10 | $26,400 | $12.70 | NA |
| Salt Lake City | 40 | $37,200 | $17.90 | $44,400 | $21.30 | -50% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 70 | $42,900 | $20.60 | $53,600 | $25.80 | -31.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle (Area) | 790 | $51,000 | $24.50 | $71,700 | $34.50 | 184.3% |
| Spokane | 40 | $44,300 | $21.30 | $53,000 | $25.50 | 32.9% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay | 80 | $37,300 | $17.90 | $43,100 | $20.70 | 263.6% |
| Madison | 110 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 132.9% |
| Milwaukee | 150 | $38,900 | $18.70 | $46,600 | $22.40 | 35% |
| Wausau | 40 | $41,800 | $20.10 | $64,200 | $30.90 | 325% |