DD Salary 2026: $37,260–$100,408 — Drafting & Illustration (Government of Canada)
Effective Date: 2024-06-22 · Verified 2026-04-26
DD rates of pay for all DD (Drafting & Illustration) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $37,260 to $100,408 across 9 levels. Category: Technical & IT. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.
| Level | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD-1 | $37,260 ~$29K net | $38,565 ~$29K net | $39,865 ~$30K net | $41,180 ~$31K net | $42,477 ~$32K net | $43,777 ~$33K net | $45,079 ~$34K net | $46,884 ~$35K net |
| DD-2 | $45,912 ~$35K net | $47,616 ~$36K net | $49,291 ~$37K net | $50,990 ~$38K net | $52,678 ~$39K net | $54,362 ~$40K net | $56,060 ~$41K net | $58,307 ~$43K net |
| DD-3 | $56,498 ~$42K net | $58,388 ~$43K net | $60,291 ~$44K net | $62,188 ~$45K net | $64,678 ~$47K net | — | — | — |
| DD-4 | $58,196 ~$43K net | $60,257 ~$44K net | $62,308 ~$46K net | $64,370 ~$47K net | $66,409 ~$48K net | $68,451 ~$49K net | $71,193 ~$51K net | — |
| DD-5 | $68,093 ~$49K net | $70,458 ~$50K net | $72,816 ~$52K net | $75,179 ~$53K net | $78,187 ~$55K net | — | — | — |
| DD-6 | $73,075 ~$52K net | $75,627 ~$54K net | $78,164 ~$55K net | $80,719 ~$57K net | $83,944 ~$58K net | — | — | — |
| DD-7 | $79,365 ~$56K net | $82,161 ~$57K net | $84,955 ~$59K net | $87,751 ~$61K net | $91,261 ~$63K net | — | — | — |
| DD-8 | $83,525 ~$58K net | $86,498 ~$60K net | $89,464 ~$62K net | $92,413 ~$64K net | $96,110 ~$66K net | — | — | — |
| DD-9 | $87,225 ~$61K net | $90,337 ~$62K net | $93,447 ~$64K net | $96,545 ~$66K net | $100,408 ~$69K net | — | — | — |
Net estimates assume Ontario, no dependents, PSPP Group 2 (post-2013 hire). Use the calculator for your full situation including province, marital status, RRSP, union dues, and pension group.
Select a level for full step breakdown
DD-1
$37,260 – $46,884
$1,433 – $1,803 biweekly (before deductions)
Rates effective from 2024-06-22 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
DD-1 pay raise history (rates from previous collective agreements)
| Effective Date | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-22 | $37,260 | $38,565 | $39,865 | $41,180 | $42,477 | $43,777 | $45,079 | $46,884 |
| 2023-06-22 | $36,438 | $37,715 | $38,986 | $40,272 | $41,540 | $42,812 | $44,085 | $45,850 |
| 2022-06-22 | $35,201 | $36,434 | $37,662 | $38,905 | $40,129 | $41,358 | $42,588 | $44,293 |
| 2021-06-22 | $33,590 | $34,767 | $35,939 | $37,126 | $38,294 | $39,466 | $40,640 | $42,267 |
| 2020-06-22 | $33,094 | $34,253 | $35,408 | $36,577 | $37,728 | $38,883 | $40,039 | $41,642 |
DD – Drafting & Illustration
$37,260 – $100,408
$1,433 – $3,862 biweekly (before deductions)
9 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements
Rates effective from 2024-06-22 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
About the DD Classification
The DD (Drafting and Illustration) group covers technical drafters, illustrators, and graphic production specialists working in the federal government. DD employees create technical drawings, engineering diagrams, cartographic products, and visual materials for federal departments. While the group was historically larger when manual drafting was the standard, DD positions still exist in departments that require specialized technical illustration and design work.
DD work has evolved significantly with the adoption of computer-aided design (CAD) and digital illustration tools. Modern DD employees typically work with software like AutoCAD, GIS systems, and digital design platforms rather than traditional drafting tables. Positions are concentrated at departments with significant infrastructure and engineering programs — National Defence, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Natural Resources Canada.
The DD group is one of the smaller classifications in the federal public service and has been shrinking over time as digital tools have consolidated drafting, illustration, and design functions. Many functions that were historically DD work have been absorbed into other classifications or contracted out. However, specialized technical illustration — particularly for military technical manuals, geological surveys, and engineering blueprints — remains a federal requirement that DD employees fulfill.
DD Tools and Related Resources
DD net pay after federal + provincial tax, CPP, EI, PSPP
Compare with other classificationsSide-by-side DD vs AS, EC, IT, FI, PM
DD raise history vs CPICumulative raise vs Statistics Canada inflation
Other Technical & IT classifications
DD salary — frequently asked questions
What is the DD salary range?
The DD (Drafting & Illustration) salary range is $37,260 to $100,408 per year as of 2024-06-22, across 9 levels (DD-1, DD-2, DD-3, DD-4, DD-5, DD-6, DD-7, DD-8, DD-9). Rates are sourced from publicly published collective agreements.
What does DD stand for in the Government of Canada?
DD is the Treasury Board classification code for Drafting & Illustration positions in the Government of Canada. It covers 9 levels (DD-1, DD-2, DD-3, DD-4, DD-5, DD-6, DD-7, DD-8, DD-9) reflecting different levels of responsibility and seniority.
How much does a DD-1 make?
A DD-1 earns $37,260 (Step 1) to $46,884 (Step 8) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a DD-2 make?
A DD-2 earns $45,912 (Step 1) to $58,307 (Step 8) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a DD-3 make?
A DD-3 earns $56,498 (Step 1) to $64,678 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a DD-4 make?
A DD-4 earns $58,196 (Step 1) to $71,193 (Step 7) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a DD-5 make?
A DD-5 earns $68,093 (Step 1) to $78,187 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a DD-6 make?
A DD-6 earns $73,075 (Step 1) to $83,944 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a DD-7 make?
A DD-7 earns $79,365 (Step 1) to $91,261 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a DD-8 make?
A DD-8 earns $83,525 (Step 1) to $96,110 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a DD-9 make?
A DD-9 earns $87,225 (Step 1) to $100,408 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-06-22. DD-9 is the senior-most level in the DD group.
When was the DD pay scale last updated?
The current DD pay scale on FedPay.ca is effective 2024-06-22, with a total of 53 pay steps across 9 levels. Data is verified against Treasury Board collective agreements regularly.
What is the DD take-home pay after taxes?
DD take-home pay depends on your level, step, province, and pension group. Use the FedPay.ca take-home pay calculator at fedpay.ca/take-home to see your net pay after federal tax, provincial tax, CPP, EI, and Public Service Pension Plan contributions for any DD level and step.