Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$64,800
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $66,150
State Rank
#20 of 50
5,370 employed here

How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in Pennsylvania?

Architectural and Civil Drafters in Pennsylvania take home a median of $64,800 annually — roughly $31.15 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $66,150.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $46,740 while the top 10% make $96,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,560 and $79,570 a year.

Architectural and Civil Drafters salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,740$22.47
25th percentile (early career)$54,560$26.23
50th percentile (median)$64,800$31.15
75th percentile (experienced)$79,570$38.25
90th percentile (top earners)$96,680$46.48

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 20th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($64,800) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Pennsylvania is $64,800 per year, or about $31.15 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,740 at the entry level to $96,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Architectural and Civil Drafters about 2% less than the national median of $66,150. Pennsylvania ranks 20th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,800 a year. About 5,370 Architectural and Civil Drafters are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.