Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in New Jersey (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$62,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $66,150
State Rank
#30 of 50
2,280 employed here

How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in New Jersey?

Architectural and Civil Drafters in New Jersey take home a median of $62,960 annually — roughly $30.27 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $66,150.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $44,700 while the top 10% make $96,120 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,880 and $78,000 a year.

Architectural and Civil Drafters salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,700$21.49
25th percentile (early career)$56,880$27.35
50th percentile (median)$62,960$30.27
75th percentile (experienced)$78,000$37.50
90th percentile (top earners)$96,120$46.21

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 30th 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($62,960) 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 New Jersey?
The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in New Jersey is $62,960 per year, or about $30.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,700 at the entry level to $96,120 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Architectural and Civil Drafters about 5% less than the national median of $66,150. New Jersey ranks 30th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,960 a year. About 2,280 Architectural and Civil Drafters are employed in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.