Structural Drafter Jobs in California

Structural Drafter jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with steady demand across commercial construction, civil infrastructure, and seismic retrofit engineering from entry-level CAD technicians through senior structural design drafters. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, where firms like AECOM, Jacobs Engineering, and Thornton Tomasetti maintain significant California operations. The most in-demand specialties include seismic and lateral-force-resisting systems, precast concrete detailing, and BIM-integrated structural documentation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Structural Drafter Jobs

Overview

Open roles19+
Top employerBKF Engineers
Top cityBrentwood, CA
Cities hiring10
Work type89% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 19+ Structural Drafter jobs

WSP
Intermediate Structural Drafter
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WSP
Added 1w ago
Intermediate Structural Drafter
WSP
Los Angeles, California
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Drafting & CAD
Structural Engineering
$37 - $45/hr
On-Site
High School

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WSP
Assistant Structural Drafter
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WSP
Added 1w ago
Assistant Structural Drafter
WSP
Los Angeles, California
Specialized Engineering
Drafting & CAD
Engineering (Non-Software)
$27 - $33/hr
On-Site
High School

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Kleinfelder
Entry-Level Structural Bridge Drafter
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Kleinfelder
Added 1w ago
Entry-Level Structural Bridge Drafter
Kleinfelder
San Diego, California
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Drafting & CAD
$21 - $35/hr
Hybrid
Associate's
1,001-5,000

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Pse Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Modeling/Drafting - Civil CAD - AutoCAD Drafter
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Pse Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Added 1mo ago
Modeling/Drafting - Civil CAD - AutoCAD Drafter
Pse Consulting Engineers, Inc.
San Diego, California
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Drafting & CAD
Civil Engineering
On-Site
High School

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ENTRUST Solutions Group
Design Drafter
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ENTRUST Solutions Group
Added 1mo ago
Design Drafter
ENTRUST Solutions Group
San Ramon, California
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Drafting & CAD
$56k - $98k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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See All 19 Structural Drafter Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Structural Drafter Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Brentwood
2 jobs
Clayton
2 jobs
Los Angeles
2 jobs
Martinez
2 jobs
Oakland
2 jobs
Rancho Cordova
2 jobs
San Diego
2 jobs
Vacaville
2 jobs
Walnut Creek
2 jobs

Structural Drafter Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • BKF Engineers
    BKF Engineers12
  • GEI Consultants
    GEI Consultants2
  • WSP
    WSP2
  • ENTRUST Solutions
    ENTRUST Solutions1
  • Kleinfelder
    Kleinfelder1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services7

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in structural drafter jobs across California.

  • Associate or bachelor's degree in drafting technology, civil engineering technology, or a related field
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit Structure for construction document production
  • Working knowledge of California Building Code and IBC seismic design requirements
  • Experience producing structural drawings for wood-frame, steel, or concrete construction projects
  • Familiarity with BIM coordination workflows and clash detection tools such as Navisworks
  • Strong ability to read and interpret structural engineering calculations and specifications

Structural Drafter Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a structural drafter in California?

The most direct path is completing an associate or bachelor's degree in drafting technology, civil engineering technology, or architectural engineering from a California community college or CSU campus. California does not require a state license specifically for structural drafters, but employers strongly prefer candidates who hold or are pursuing NICET certification or an ADDA-recognized credential. Building a portfolio of seismic-compliant structural drawings and gaining proficiency in Revit Structure and AutoCAD significantly strengthens your candidacy with California engineering firms.

How much do structural drafters make in California?

Structural drafters in California earn a median of about $76,520 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $49,850 for the lowest 10% to over $114,600 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire structural drafters in California?

Employers hiring structural drafters in California right now include BKF Engineers, GEI Consultants, and WSP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large infrastructure pipeline and active commercial development market mean that both large multidisciplinary engineering firms and specialized structural engineering consultancies post openings on a consistent basis throughout the year.

Which California cities have the most structural drafter jobs?

Brentwood, Clayton, and Los Angeles account for the largest concentration of structural drafter openings in California. Los Angeles drives volume through its scale of commercial, hospitality, and mixed-use construction, San Francisco and the Bay Area generate demand from tech campus buildouts and seismic retrofit mandates, and Sacramento sees consistent openings tied to state infrastructure projects and regional public works programs.

Are there remote structural drafter jobs in California?

Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical fields because structural drafting often requires coordination with on-site engineers and project teams reviewing physical drawings. About 11% of structural drafter openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting firms that have adapted their documentation workflows to cloud-based BIM platforms. Tasks such as detailing, drafting, and BIM modeling are the most likely to be performed remotely.

How can I get hired as a structural drafter in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is applying for a CAD technician or junior drafter position at a California structural or civil engineering firm while completing or having recently finished a drafting technology program at a community college such as Los Angeles Trade-Technical College or Sacramento City College. Large California-based engineering firms including AECOM and Jacobs regularly bring on entry-level drafters through internship pipelines tied to California State University programs. Building a portfolio of seismic detailing samples and obtaining Autodesk Revit certification gives candidates without job history a concrete edge.

Where can I find and apply to structural drafter jobs in California?

You can find and apply to structural drafter jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated on an ongoing basis. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to each one.

See All 19 Structural Drafter Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Structural Drafter Jobs