Electrical and Electronics Drafters Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, electrical and electronics drafters earn $101,700 at the median — $48.9 an hour. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $207K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $92,103 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 55.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $102K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About electrical and electronics drafters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level electrical and electronics drafters (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K.Top earners bring in $207K or more - a $143K spread from bottom to top.
Electrical and Electronics Drafters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $102K | +38% | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $91K | +23% | 590 |
| New Mexico | $89K | +20% | 350 |
| New York | $88K | +19% | 930 |
| Idaho | $82K | +11% | 40 |
| Missouri | $81K | +9% | 330 |
| Ohio | $80K | +9% | 870 |
| New Jersey | $79K | +8% | 280 |
| Tennessee | $78K | +5% | 360 |
| Iowa | $77K | +5% | 170 |
| Georgia | $77K | +4% | 470 |
| North Carolina | $77K | +4% | 360 |
| California | $76K | +4% | 3,020 |
| Kansas | $76K | +3% | 250 |
| Oregon | $76K | +3% | 280 |
Track electrical and electronics drafters salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do electrical and electronics drafters make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $101,700 a year - that works out to about $48.9 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,870, and experienced electrical and electronics drafters can clear $207,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,195/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.2% 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 electrical and electronics drafters 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 electrical and electronics drafters salary is worth about $92,103 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do electrical and electronics drafters 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.