California Median
$76,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $66,150
State Rank
#3 of 50
11,400 employed here
How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in California?
Architectural and Civil Drafters in California take home a median of $76,520 annually — roughly $36.79 an hour — which runs 16% above the national median of $66,150.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $49,850 while the top 10% make $114,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,220 and $96,300 a year.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,850 | $23.97 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,220 | $29.91 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,520 | $36.79 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $96,300 | $46.30 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,600 | $55.10 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 50 states and territories for Architectural and Civil Drafters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in other states
District of Columbia $97,880Massachusetts $76,990Colorado $76,370Connecticut $76,290New York $76,260Maryland $75,180Georgia $74,940Oregon $74,000Delaware $73,040Washington $73,000Rhode Island $71,700Minnesota $70,680Tennessee $69,220Nevada $67,000Maine $66,200Montana $65,750West Virginia $65,640New Hampshire $65,300Pennsylvania $64,800Arizona $64,750North Dakota $64,720South Carolina $64,680Utah $64,290Iowa $64,220Wyoming $63,730Hawaii $63,510Virginia $63,450Texas $63,320New Jersey $62,960Wisconsin $62,930North Carolina $62,750Florida $62,640Arkansas $62,420Kansas $62,220Oklahoma $62,140Missouri $61,940Idaho $61,840Nebraska $61,550Ohio $61,450Louisiana $61,010Vermont $61,000Kentucky $60,120Indiana $60,000Mississippi $59,920Michigan $58,330Illinois $58,240Alabama $57,100South Dakota $52,470New Mexico $50,230
Working as Architectural and Civil Drafters in California
Nationally, about 104,000 people work as Architectural and Civil Drafters in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($76,520) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in California?
The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in California is $76,520 per year, or about $36.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,850 at the entry level to $114,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Architectural and Civil Drafters about 16% more than the national median of $66,150. California ranks 3rd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,520 a year. About 11,400 Architectural and Civil Drafters are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Architectural and Civil Drafters salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.