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.

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Overview

Open roles7
Top employerWSP
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring5
Work type100% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 7+ Structural Drafter jobs

Kleinfelder
Senior Bridge / Structural Drafter
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Kleinfelder
Added 1w ago
Senior Bridge / Structural Drafter
Kleinfelder
San Diego, California
Corporate Training
Educational Administration
Learning & Development
$63k - $105k/yr
On-Site
Associate's degree
1,001-5,000

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4 S.T.E.L. ENGINEERING, INC.
Structural AutoCAD Drafter - Drafting Engineer
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4 S.T.E.L. ENGINEERING, INC.
Added 2w ago
Structural AutoCAD Drafter - Drafting Engineer
4 S.T.E.L. ENGINEERING, INC.
Anaheim, California
Corporate Training
Educational Administration
Learning & Development
$20 - $30/hr

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T & B Engineering
Structural Drafter - Mid Level
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T & B Engineering
Added 3w ago
Structural Drafter - Mid Level
T & B Engineering
Riverside, California
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
Project Management
$36.49 - $43.95/hr
On-Site

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WSP
Experienced Structural Drafter (Buildings)
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WSP
Added 1mo ago
Experienced Structural Drafter (Buildings)
WSP
Irvine, California
Corporate Training
Educational Administration
Learning & Development
$40 - $53/hr
High school diploma or GED

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WSP
Structural Drafter (Buildings)
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WSP
Added 2mo ago
Structural Drafter (Buildings)
WSP
Los Angeles, California
Civil & Structural Engineering
Construction Management
Drafting & CAD
$32 - $39/hr
On-Site
High school diploma or GED

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See All 7 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.

Los Angeles
3 jobs
Irvine
1 job
Anaheim
1 job
Riverside
1 job
San Diego
1 job

Structural Drafter Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

WSP
WSP4 open roles
Kleinfelder
Kleinfelder1 open role
T & B Engineering
T & B Engineering1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services

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 WSP, Kleinfelder, and T & B Engineering, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?

Los Angeles, Irvine, and Anaheim 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 0% of structural drafter openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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 7 Structural Drafter Jobs in California

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

Find Structural Drafter Jobs