Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$60,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $66,150
State Rank
#43 of 50
870 employed here

How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in Kentucky?

Architectural and Civil Drafters working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $60,120 per year, or about $28.90 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $66,150 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $38,780 while the top 10% make $86,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,140 and $74,870 a year.

Architectural and Civil Drafters salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,780$18.64
25th percentile (early career)$48,140$23.14
50th percentile (median)$60,120$28.90
75th percentile (experienced)$74,870$36.00
90th percentile (top earners)$86,530$41.60

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 43rd 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($60,120) 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 Kentucky?
The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Kentucky is $60,120 per year, or about $28.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,780 at the entry level to $86,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Architectural and Civil Drafters about 9% less than the national median of $66,150. Kentucky ranks 43rd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,120 a year. About 870 Architectural and Civil Drafters are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.