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Drafting Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salt Productions

Drafting Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

ROLE: Drafting Manager REPORTS INTO: Director of Technical Production What Is the Drafting Manager The Drafting Manager is responsible for owning and coordinating all technical drafting efforts ...

Team 360 Staffing

SW Drafting Technician

Dixon, CA · On-site

$28 - $35/hr

SW Drafting Technician Location: Dixon, CA Job type: Full-time/On-site Pay Range: $28 to $35 per hour Hiring Company: Team 360 Staffing About the Role Team 360 Staffing is seeking a detail-oriented ...

CARRILLO DESIGN & ASSOCIATES, INC

Be Seen First

Designer Drafting

San Bernardino, CA · On-site

$2.0K - $3.0K/mo

This Designer Drafting position is ideal for a bilingual professional fluent in Spanish and English, proficient in Revit Auto Desk Software, and experienced with architectural projects in both ...

Urgent

Bellingham Marine

SW Drafting Technician

Dixon, CA · On-site

$28 - $35/hr

Fully trained in the use of AutoCad, and experience in 3D Drafting with software such as Solidworks or Autocad Inventor. Minimum five years' experience working in a network environment. Proficiency ...

US IT Solutions Inc

AUTOCAD 2014 Drafting

Sacramento, CA

$24 - $32.25/hr

AUTOCAD 2014 Drafting Location: Sacramento CA Mandatory Requirements Minimum 5 or more years of experience in utilizing AutoCad 2014 and previous versions to create or edit engineering drawings ...

Synergy Companies

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Draftsman

Stockton, CA · On-site

$19 - $29/hr

Diploma in drafting, engineering, or related fields * Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in site planning or a related field * Knowledge of zoning laws, land use regulations, and environmental ...

Synergy Companies

Draftsman

Fresno, CA · On-site

Diploma in drafting, engineering, or related fields * Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in site planning or a related field * Knowledge of zoning laws, land use regulations, and environmental ...

Synergy Companies

Draftsman

Fresno, CA · On-site

$20 - $28/hr

Diploma in drafting, engineering, or related fields * Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in site planning or a related field * Knowledge of zoning laws, land use regulations, and environmental ...

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All JobsDrafting JobsDrafting Jobs in California

Drafting information

See California salary details

$14

$24

$36

How much do drafting jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for drafting in California is $24.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $25.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is drafting?

Drafting is the process of creating detailed technical drawings and plans used in construction, manufacturing, architecture, and engineering. Drafters use specialized software or manual techniques to produce precise representations of structures, machinery, or systems. These drawings serve as blueprints for builders, engineers, and manufacturers, ensuring projects are constructed accurately and safely. Drafting is essential for communicating complex design ideas and specifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drafter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drafter, you need strong technical drawing skills, attention to detail, and a background in drafting or engineering technology, often supported by an associate degree or certification. Proficiency in CAD software such as AutoCAD, Revit, or SolidWorks is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate with architects and engineers help drafters excel. These skills ensure accurate technical plans, effective teamwork, and the successful translation of concepts into precise construction or manufacturing documents.

What are some typical challenges drafters face when working on multidisciplinary project teams?

Drafters often collaborate with architects, engineers, and construction professionals, which can present challenges such as coordinating design changes, managing conflicting feedback, and adhering to tight deadlines. Effective communication and attention to detail are crucial, as errors can lead to costly revisions. Staying up-to-date with the latest CAD software and industry standards also helps drafters integrate seamlessly with diverse teams and deliver accurate technical drawings.

What is the difference between Drafting vs CAD Technician?

AspectDraftingCAD Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical trainingHigh school diploma; technical certification or associate degree often preferred
Work EnvironmentArchitectural, engineering, or manufacturing offices; on-siteDesign studios, engineering firms, manufacturing companies; computer-based work
Industry UsageUsed across architecture, engineering, manufacturingPrimarily in engineering, architecture, and product design
Work FocusCreating technical drawings manually or with basic softwareDeveloping detailed 3D models and drawings using CAD software

While both Drafting and CAD Technicians create technical drawings, Drafting typically involves manual or basic digital drawing skills, whereas CAD Technicians focus on advanced 3D modeling and detailed digital designs using specialized software. The roles often overlap, but CAD Technicians usually require more technical training in CAD tools.

Is there a demand for drafting?

Drafting is a skilled profession with steady demand in industries such as architecture, engineering, and construction. Proficiency in CAD software and certifications can enhance job prospects, especially in regions with active development projects.

What is a career in drafting?

A career in drafting involves creating technical drawings and plans used in construction, manufacturing, and engineering projects. Draftspeople use computer-aided design (CAD) software and must have strong attention to detail, technical knowledge, and understanding of building codes and standards. The role often requires a post-secondary education or certification in drafting or engineering technology.

What kind of drafting makes the most money?

In drafting, specialized fields such as electrical, mechanical, and civil drafting tend to offer higher salaries due to their technical complexity and demand. Drafters with advanced skills in 3D modeling, CAD software, and industry certifications typically earn more, especially in high-demand sectors like aerospace, engineering, and construction. Experience and working in larger firms or on complex projects also contribute to higher earnings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Drafting jobs in California?

The most popular types of Drafting jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Drafting jobs in California?

For Drafting jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drafting jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Drafting jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Drafting jobs?

Cities in California with the most Drafting job openings:

Drafting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drafting job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,241 per year, or $24.2 per hour.

Drafting Manager

Salt Productions

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

About Salt Productions, LLC
Salt Productions is a full-service production agency rooted in an environment where production thrives, allowing creative work to be executed with precision, and delivering quality work committed to the client's goals. Salt is built on a foundation where Production and Creative go hand in hand with a process that is exciting, collaborative and transparent. With a people-first approach, Salt believes quality can only be achieved with the right team.
As a production agency, we collaborate with creative from the start-whether in-house, brand-side, or a powerhouse partner-to bring clients' design dreams to life, exactly as envisioned. We are logistical magicians and operational experts-a killer combo for flawless execution. And we live for creating challenging builds within budget, but never at the expense of our team's ability to thrive. As a radically compassionate company, we value people over profits and our work is all the better for it. Big ideas are our specialty, start-to-finish integration is our superpower, and we actualize experiences that thrill, engage, and inspire.
ROLE: Drafting Manager
REPORTS INTO: Director of Technical Production
What Is the Drafting Manager
The Drafting Manager is responsible for owning and coordinating all technical drafting efforts across live events, experiential activations, and fabricated environments. This role serves as the central point of accountability for drawing standards, drafting workflows, file management, and quality control-ensuring that all technical drawings are accurate, consistent, and aligned with production, fabrication, and installation requirements.
This is a hands-on management role that blends technical drafting expertise with process ownership. The Drafting Manager works closely with Technical Directors, Senior Technical Directors, Fabrication Producers, and external vendors, while managing internal drafting workflows and freelance drafting resources. This role is critical to translating creative intent and technical design into build-ready documentation.
Roles & Responsibilities
Drafting Leadership & Standards
  • Own drafting standards, templates, layer conventions, and documentation best practices
  • Ensure all drawings meet internal quality, accuracy, and version-control requirements
  • Review and approve venue and master drawing files prior to release to Production and Creative teams
  • Establish clear drafting scopes and deliverable expectations for each project

Workflow & Process Management
  • Serve as the central coordination point for drafting requests in collaboration with Technical Directors and Production team leads across technical production and fabrication teams
  • Lead and facilitate project-level Drafting Kick-Off (KO) meetings to align scope, drafting standards, handoff procedures, cadence, and expectations with Technical Production, Fabrication, and Production teams
  • Prioritize drafting requests based on project timelines and production needs
  • Manage drafting schedules and ensure alignment with production milestones
  • Enforce drafting processes and timelines, including holding stakeholders accountable to required inputs

Technical Coordination
  • Collaborate with Technical Directors and fabrication teams to translate designs into executable drawings
  • Ensure drawings accurately reflect staging, rigging, AV, power, automation, and fabrication integration
  • Coordinate drawing updates and revisions as projects evolve
  • Support venue reviews, site surveys, and feasibility assessments through accurate documentation

File Conversion & Technical Accuracy
  • Execute and oversee file conversions from SketchUp, Rhino (.3dm), AutoCAD, OBJ, Matterport, and LiDAR scan data
  • Validate scale, accuracy, and alignment when converting third-party files into Vectorworks
  • Maintain clean, organized, and accessible drawing file structures

Resource & Vendor Management
  • Manage freelance drafting resources and external drafting partners
  • Assign drafting work and provide clear scopes, deadlines, and feedback
  • Maintain a roster of trusted drafting vendors and freelancers
  • Coordinate with production leadership on resourcing needs and capacity planning
  • Partner with Project Leads and Production leadership to align drafting resources with approved project budgets and monitor drafting spend throughout the project lifecycle

Documentation & Continuous Improvement
  • Maintain a centralized drafting archive and documentation system
  • Identify opportunities to improve drafting efficiency, clarity, and turnaround time
  • Stay current on Vectorworks updates, drafting tools, and industry best practices

Requirements
  • 6+ years of experience in technical drafting for live events, experiential, or fabrication environments
  • Expert-level proficiency in Vectorworks (required)
  • Strong understanding of technical drawings for live events, staging, rigging, AV, and fabrication
  • Ability to read, review, and QA technical drawings across multiple disciplines
  • Experience working with complex, multi-vendor technical environments
  • Proven experience managing drafting workflows and multiple concurrent projects
  • Strong understanding of live event production and fabrication processes
  • Experience working with third-party file formats and scan data (SketchUp, Rhino, AutoCAD, OBJ, Matterport, LiDAR)
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills
  • Ability to enforce process while maintaining collaborative relationships
  • Proficient in Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides)
  • Availability for in-person collaboration as required

Salt Core Values + You
  • Redefine the Rules: Creative and production fighting like cats and dogs? Not here. We bring creative and production together from the start because a great idea is only as good as how it's brought to life. For us, logistics and aesthetics go hand in hand. We're all about delivering experiences that go beyond the ask.
  • In Search Of: Tackling challenges is our favorite pastime. Obstacles? We call them plot twists. We are creative thinkers and problem-solvers who always find a way forward with curiosity and determination. Our focus is exceeding expectations, turning client asks into an opportunity to deliver something unexpectedly brilliant.
  • Expect More, Get More: We hold ourselves to higher standards than anyone else, always looking for ways to elevate each project. We don't stop at simply checking all the boxes; we push until time runs out. That extra 10% is where we surpass the competition, delivering results beyond what our clients could imagine-or even think to ask for.
  • Compassion is Culture: We are powered by extraordinary humans, and we're dedicated to cultivating an environment where company success is tied to team success. We combat burnout with inspiration, motivation, and genuine support. Without fun, work sucks

You Are:
  • You are the technical authority who owns drafting standards, workflows, and quality control-ensuring every drawing is accurate, consistent, and build-ready.
  • You are the central coordinator who aligns Technical Directors, Production, Fabrication teams, and freelance resources to deliver documentation on time and to spec.

You are a hands-on drafting leader who translates creative and technical design into executable drawings, while driving process improvement and resource efficiency.

Apply