How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make?
The median pay for Architectural and Civil Drafters in the United States is $66,150 per year — about $31.80 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $46,260, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $99,710.
That is $4,760 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary range by percentile
Half of all Architectural and Civil Drafters earn between $55,650 and $80,870 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,260 | $22.24 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,650 | $26.75 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $66,150 | $31.80 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,870 | $38.88 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,710 | $47.94 |
Highest-paying states for Architectural and Civil Drafters
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Architectural and Civil Drafters pay at $97,880 a year, followed by Massachusetts ($76,990) and California ($76,520). At the other end, New Mexico posts the lowest median at $50,230 — a gap of $47,650 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $97,880 | $47.06 | +48% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $76,990 | $37.01 | +16% |
| 3 | California | $76,520 | $36.79 | +16% |
| 4 | Colorado | $76,370 | $36.72 | +15% |
| 5 | Connecticut | $76,290 | $36.68 | +15% |
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 104,000 people work as Architectural and Civil Drafters in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $70,740 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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