Mechanical Drafters Employment & Job Outlook in California (2024)

California employs 4,170 Mechanical Drafters professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • California employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
4,170
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
4.17
workers
Location Quotient
4.48
vs national avg
Average Salary
$83K
annual

High Demand in California

The location quotient (LQ) of 4.48 indicates that California has a higher-than-average concentration of Mechanical Drafters professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

California vs National Average

Total Employed
4,170
National: 44,720
9.3% of national
Jobs per 1,000
4.17
National: 0.93
+348.4%
Average Salary
$83K
National: $68K
+22.7%

Top States by Mechanical Drafters Employment

#1
4,170
4,170
employed
#2
3,770
3,770
employed
#3
2,580
2,580
employed
#4
2,200
2,200
employed
#5
2,130
2,130
employed
#6
2,130
2,130
employed
#7
2,050
2,050
employed
#8
1,960
1,960
employed
#9
1,920
1,920
employed
#10
1,840
1,840
employed

What Does a Mechanical Drafters Earn in California?

The average annual salary for a Mechanical Drafters in California is $83,650. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Mechanical Drafters jobs are there in California?

California employs approximately 4,170 Mechanical Drafters professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks California among the top states nationwide.

Is Mechanical Drafters in demand in California?

Yes — California has above-average concentration of Mechanical Drafters jobs (LQ: 4.48). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Mechanical Drafters in California?

The average (mean) salary for Mechanical Drafters in California is $83650/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Mechanical Drafters professionals?

The top state for Mechanical Drafters employment is California with 4,170 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Mechanical Drafters (SOC 173013) in California.

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