Drafters, All Other Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a drafters, all other in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $83,090/year ($39.95/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $118K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $75,249 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 66.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $83K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About drafters, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level drafters, all others (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K.Top earners bring in $118K or more - a $58K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do drafters, all others make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $83,090 a year - that works out to about $39.95 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,810, and experienced drafters, all others can clear $118,340. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,248/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 66.4% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $75,249 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.