Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$63,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $66,150
State Rank
#28 of 50
2,600 employed here

How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in Virginia?

Architectural and Civil Drafters working in Virginia earn a median salary of $63,450 per year, or about $30.50 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $66,150 for this occupation.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $47,170 while the top 10% make $93,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,940 and $76,800 a year.

Architectural and Civil Drafters salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,170$22.68
25th percentile (early career)$53,940$25.93
50th percentile (median)$63,450$30.50
75th percentile (experienced)$76,800$36.92
90th percentile (top earners)$93,970$45.18

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 28th 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($63,450) 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 Virginia?
The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Virginia is $63,450 per year, or about $30.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,170 at the entry level to $93,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Architectural and Civil Drafters about 4% less than the national median of $66,150. Virginia ranks 28th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,450 a year. About 2,600 Architectural and Civil Drafters are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.