Prevailing Wage for Mechanical Drafters
Prevailing wage for Mechanical Drafters (SOC 17-3013) is set by the DOL across four experience levels, and the floor shifts considerably depending on where the worksite is located. Whether your offer letter names the role a CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer), CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator), or Design Drafter, the same wage floor applies.
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Entry-level drafters with limited experience, typically recent graduates or candidates new to mechanical drafting. Work is closely supervised, assignments are routine, and independent judgment is minimal. Employers filing H-1B or PERM petitions at this level must demonstrate entry-scope duties.
The most common filing level for Mechanical Drafters. Applies to candidates with moderate experience who handle standard drafting assignments with some independence. DOL expects familiarity with CAD systems and the ability to interpret engineering specifications without constant supervision.
Experienced drafters who work independently on complex mechanical assemblies, mentor junior staff, and apply specialized knowledge to non-routine projects. Employers filing at this level typically document a track record of leading detailed design work or managing drawing sets.
Senior or lead-level professionals who direct drafting projects, set technical standards, and exercise broad independent judgment. Fully Competent filings are appropriate when the role involves oversight of other drafters or primary responsibility for design documentation on major programs.
Prevailing Wage for Mechanical Drafters by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Mechanical Drafters and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch for title aliasing on your LCA
Employers sometimes file LCAs under 'Engineering Technician' or 'Design Technician' SOC codes rather than SOC 17-3013. A mismatched SOC can set a different wage floor, so confirm the LCA lists Mechanical Drafters explicitly before signing your offer.
Factor out signing bonuses from your base wage
DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against your annualized base salary. Signing bonuses, relocation allowances, and project completion bonuses do not count toward meeting the floor, a distinction that catches many Mechanical Drafters offers in contract manufacturing.
Check sponsors in defense and aerospace hubs
Mechanical Drafters filings concentrate in defense and aerospace corridors like San Jose, Seattle, and Albuquerque. Migrate Mate shows which employers in these metros have actually sponsored Mechanical Drafters roles, so you can target companies with a documented filing history rather than guessing.
Understand why agency placements raise level risk
Staffing agencies placing Mechanical Drafters at third-party worksites must use the wage for the client's location, not the agency's office address. Placements in high-cost metros like San Francisco can push the required wage well above what a generic national offer covers.
Jobs for Mechanical Drafters are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Mechanical DraftersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 17-3013.00 alongside Mechanical Drafters, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer) Prevailing Wage
CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer) Prevailing Wage
CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer) positions fall under SOC 17-3013.00 (Mechanical Drafters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator) Prevailing Wage
CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-3013.00 (Mechanical Drafters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Design Drafter Prevailing Wage
Design Drafter Prevailing Wage
Design Drafter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-3013.00 (Mechanical Drafters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Drafter Prevailing Wage
Drafter Prevailing Wage
Drafter positions fall under SOC 17-3013.00 (Mechanical Drafters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Drafting Technician Prevailing Wage
Drafting Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Drafting Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-3013.00 (Mechanical Drafters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Mechanical Designer Prevailing Wage
Mechanical Designer Prevailing Wage
Mechanical Designer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-3013.00 (Mechanical Drafters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Product Designer Prevailing Wage
Product Designer Prevailing Wage
Product Designer positions fall under SOC 17-3013.00 (Mechanical Drafters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Project Designer Prevailing Wage
Project Designer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Project Designer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-3013.00 (Mechanical Drafters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Mechanical Drafters?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan areas. For SOC 17-3013, OFLC maps those survey results to four experience levels and publishes them in the OFLC Wage Search tool. Employers sponsoring a work visa must offer at least the wage that corresponds to the duties and experience level described in the petition.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL defines the levels by experience and supervisory scope. Level 1 covers entry-scope work under close supervision. Level 2 applies to drafters handling standard assignments with moderate independence. Level 3 covers complex, largely autonomous work. Level 4 applies to senior or lead roles directing other staff. The level on your Labor Condition Application should match the actual duties in your job description; a mismatch can trigger a USCIS Request for Evidence.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Mechanical Drafters role vary so much by city?
OFLC publishes separate wage floors for each metropolitan area based on regional OES surveys that capture local labor market rates. The worksite city listed on the LCA determines which floor applies, not the employer's headquarters. Markets with dense aerospace and semiconductor employers, such as San Jose and Seattle, show substantially higher floors than smaller industrial markets, reflecting real differences in local competition for drafting talent.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot lawfully certify an LCA or file a USCIS petition at a salary below the applicable prevailing wage. If the offer is below the floor, OFLC will reject the LCA, blocking the H-1B or PERM process entirely. If a violation is discovered after filing, DOL can assess back wages and debar the employer from sponsoring foreign workers. Candidates should verify the floor before accepting an offer.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Mechanical Drafters in a specific U.S. location?
The OFLC Wage Search tool lets you look up the current wage floor by SOC code and metropolitan area. Search for SOC 17-3013, select your worksite metro, and compare all four levels against your offer. You can also cross-reference recent LCA filings in the OFLC disclosure data to see what wages employers have actually certified for Mechanical Drafters roles. Migrate Mate filters listed jobs by employer sponsorship history, so you can identify companies that have filed for this occupation before reaching out.
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