Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$62,750
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $66,150
State Rank
#32 of 50
2,680 employed here

How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in North Carolina?

Architectural and Civil Drafters in North Carolina take home a median of $62,750 annually — roughly $30.17 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $66,150.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $42,790 while the top 10% make $95,540 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,780 and $78,670 a year.

Architectural and Civil Drafters salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,790$20.57
25th percentile (early career)$51,780$24.89
50th percentile (median)$62,750$30.17
75th percentile (experienced)$78,670$37.82
90th percentile (top earners)$95,540$45.93

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 32nd 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($62,750) 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 North Carolina?
The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in North Carolina is $62,750 per year, or about $30.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,790 at the entry level to $95,540 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Architectural and Civil Drafters about 5% less than the national median of $66,150. North Carolina ranks 32nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,750 a year. About 2,680 Architectural and Civil Drafters are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.