Iowa Median
$64,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $66,150
State Rank
#25 of 50
980 employed here
How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in Iowa?
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Iowa take home a median of $64,220 annually — roughly $30.88 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $66,150.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $45,760 while the top 10% make $102,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,500 and $80,390 a year.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,500 | $27.64 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,220 | $30.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,390 | $38.65 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,060 | $49.07 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 25th 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 $76,990California $76,520Colorado $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 $64,290Wyoming $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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($64,220) 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 Iowa?
The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Iowa is $64,220 per year, or about $30.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,760 at the entry level to $102,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Architectural and Civil Drafters about 3% less than the national median of $66,150. Iowa ranks 25th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,220 a year. About 980 Architectural and Civil Drafters are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.