Drafters, All Other Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
The median pay for a drafters, all other in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $87,820/year ($42.22/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $128K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $81,112 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 53% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $88K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
About drafters, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level drafters, all others (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $88K.Top earners bring in $128K or more - a $69K spread from bottom to top.
Drafters, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $88K | +42% | 120 |
| Utah | $78K | +26% | 300 |
| Nevada | $78K | +26% | 160 |
| California | $71K | +15% | 2,020 |
| New Hampshire | $69K | +11% | 30 |
| Tennessee | $69K | +11% | 210 |
| Wisconsin | $68K | +10% | 310 |
| Washington | $68K | +10% | 170 |
| New Jersey | $66K | +7% | 790 |
| Connecticut | $65K | +4% | 110 |
| New York | $63K | +2% | 910 |
| Minnesota | $63K | +1% | 340 |
| Illinois | $63K | +1% | 140 |
| Montana | $62K | +1% | 170 |
| Kansas | $62K | +1% | 60 |
Track drafters, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do drafters, all others make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $87,820 a year - that works out to about $42.22 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,740, and experienced drafters, all others can clear $127,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $88K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,481/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 53.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a drafters, all other salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median drafters, all other salary is worth about $81,112 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do drafters, all others get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.