Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Architectural and Civil Drafters in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$97,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+48% vs US median
US median $66,150
State Rank
#1 of 50
370 employed here

How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in District of Columbia?

Architectural and Civil Drafters working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $97,880 per year, or about $47.06 per hour. That is 48% above the national median of $66,150 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $67,850 while the top 10% make $120,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,960 and $118,490 a year.

Architectural and Civil Drafters salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$67,850$32.62
25th percentile (early career)$78,960$37.96
50th percentile (median)$97,880$47.06
75th percentile (experienced)$118,490$56.97
90th percentile (top earners)$120,190$57.78

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories for Architectural and Civil Drafters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$97,880
2Massachusetts$76,990
3California$76,520
4Colorado$76,370
5Connecticut$76,290

Working as Architectural and Civil Drafters in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($97,880) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in District of Columbia is $97,880 per year, or about $47.06 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $67,850 at the entry level to $120,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Architectural and Civil Drafters about 48% more than the national median of $66,150. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $97,880 a year. About 370 Architectural and Civil Drafters are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Architectural and Civil Drafters salary report

Related salaries

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$76,870
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$66,120
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$74,510
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Surveying and Mapping Technicians

$54,240
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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.