Tennessee Median
$69,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.28
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $66,150
State Rank
#14 of 50
1,310 employed here
How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in Tennessee?
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Tennessee take home a median of $69,220 annually — roughly $33.28 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $66,150.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $45,050 while the top 10% make $98,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,140 and $80,480 a year.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,050 | $21.66 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,140 | $27.47 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $69,220 | $33.28 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,480 | $38.69 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,020 | $47.13 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 14th 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 $70,680Nevada $67,000Maine $66,200Montana $65,750West Virginia $65,640New Hampshire $65,300Pennsylvania $64,800Arizona $64,750North Dakota $64,720South Carolina $64,680Utah $64,290Iowa $64,220Wyoming $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($69,220) 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 Tennessee?
The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Tennessee is $69,220 per year, or about $33.28 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,050 at the entry level to $98,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Architectural and Civil Drafters about 5% more than the national median of $66,150. Tennessee ranks 14th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $69,220 a year. About 1,310 Architectural and Civil Drafters are employed in Tennessee. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.