Electrical and Electronics Drafters Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, electrical and electronics drafters earn $80,380 at the median, or about $38.64 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $112K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $73,824 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 44.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $80K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About electrical and electronics drafters
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level electrical and electronics drafters (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $112K or more, a $57K 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 |
| Minnesota | $75K | +2% | 460 |
| Wisconsin | $74K | -0% | 370 |
| Maryland | $73K | -1% | 450 |
| Maine | $71K | -4% | 80 |
| Virginia | $70K | -5% | 410 |
| Oklahoma | $70K | -5% | 350 |
| South Carolina | $69K | -6% | 340 |
| Washington | $69K | -7% | 550 |
| Kentucky | $67K | -9% | 180 |
| Illinois | $67K | -9% | 210 |
| Nevada | $67K | -10% | 210 |
| Texas | $66K | -11% | 2,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $66K | -11% | 620 |
| Arizona | $65K | -12% | 530 |
| Florida | $65K | -12% | 770 |
| Connecticut | $65K | -12% | 490 |
| Indiana | $64K | -13% | 310 |
| Utah | $64K | -13% | 210 |
| Delaware | $62K | -15% | 60 |
| Michigan | $62K | -15% | 480 |
| Arkansas | $62K | -16% | 30 |
| Mississippi | $62K | -17% | 110 |
| Nebraska | $61K | -17% | 200 |
| Hawaii | $60K | -19% | N/A |
| Louisiana | $55K | -25% | 270 |
| South Dakota | $55K | -25% | 30 |
| Alabama | $53K | -27% | 290 |
Showing 1–10 of 42 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track electrical and electronics drafters salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do electrical and electronics drafters make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $80,380 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,480, and experienced electrical and electronics drafters can clear $112,440. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,078/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 44.2% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $73,824 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.