Mechanical Drafter Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Mechanical Drafters in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $80,780 a year — 13% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,326 take-home, or $5,110 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical drafter salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,942
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,008
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,171
- California income tax$3,283
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,050
- Take-home pay$61,326
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Mechanical Drafter pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,130 | $23.62 | $40,020 | $3,335 |
| 25th percentile | $65,570 | $31.52 | $51,980 | $4,332 |
| Median (50th) | $80,780 | $38.84 | $61,326 | $5,110 |
| 75th percentile | $102,860 | $49.45 | $74,518 | $6,210 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,160 | $61.62 | $89,508 | $7,459 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,780 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical drafter's $61,326 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,000 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Mechanical Drafter jobs are about as common in Los Angeles, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for mechanical drafters, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #12 of 13 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $94,470 | $75,290 | $67,747 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $83,200 | $67,361 | $65,342 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $78,820 | $64,280 | $65,173 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $69,550 | $55,623 | $58,754 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $75,360 | $58,557 | $58,523 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $75,050 | $58,689 | $58,514 |
| 7 | Portland, ME | $76,360 | $58,577 | $57,508 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $74,100 | $58,684 | $57,223 |
| 12 | Los Angeles, CA | $80,780 | $61,326 | $54,000 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 13 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical drafter make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median mechanical drafter salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $80,780 a year, or about $38.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $65,570 and $102,860.
What is a mechanical drafter’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $80,780 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $61,326 a year ($5,110 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,333 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a mechanical drafter?
Pay here is 13% above the national median of $71,550. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,000 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #12 of 13 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical drafter afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median mechanical drafter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Los Angeles, CA
- Aerospace Engineer — $163,280
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- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $140,530
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- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors — $131,540
- Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer — $128,240
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