Electrical and Electronics Drafters

• Of all types of drafters, electrical and electronics drafters have the highest average pay. These drafters create drawings for workers who install and repair electrical equipment and wiring, explains the BLS. The average salary for electrical and electronics drafters as of May 2009 was $26.34 per hour, or $54,800 per year. The middle 50 percent of the salary range was $41,190 to $66,280 per year. The top 10 percent of electrical and electronics drafters were making at least $80,960 per year, and only the bottom 10 percent were earning $33,140 and less.
  
  

Architectural and Civil Drafters

• Architectural and civil drafters make up the largest group of drafters, with 118,400 out of the estimated 251,900 total drafters working in the United States in 2008, according to the BLS. They prepare drawings of architectural and structural components of buildings, along with drawings and maps used in civil engineering projects such as roads and bridges. Their average salary in 2009 was $22.94 per hour, or $47,710 per year. Those who worked for local government agencies generally earned more than the average for all drafters in this category, at $55,030 per year on average.
  
  

Mechanical Drafters

• Mechanical drafters draw diagrams of machinery and mechanical equipment. Their average salary in 2009 was $23.94 per hour, equaling $49,790 per year. The middle 50 percent of these drafters had annual salaries of $37,840 to $59,740, and the top 10 percent were making at least $73,050 per year. Mechanical drafters working in aerospace product and parts manufacturing had the highest average salary, at $61,350 per year.
  
  

Other Drafters

• The BLS includes a general category for other drafters, such as aeronautical drafters and pipeline drafters. Their average pay rate was $23.18 per hour, or $48,210 per year. As with mechanical drafters, the highest-paying type of employment was aerospace product and parts manufacturing, in which they earned $60,380 on average. Those working as drafters for manufacturers of furniture and kitchen cabinets had much lower salaries, at $43,380 per year on average.