How much does a architectural and civil drafter make?
The median architectural and civil drafter in the United States earns $66,150 per year, about $31.80 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all architectural and civil drafters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-3011.
Architectural and civil drafter salary range
Pay for architectural and civil drafters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,260 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $99,710. The average (mean) wage of $70,740 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,260 | $22.24 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $55,650 | $26.76 | |
| Median (50th) | $66,150 | $31.80 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $80,870 | $38.88 | |
| 90th percentile | $99,710 | $47.94 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for architectural and civil drafters (SOC 17-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Architectural and civil drafter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Architectural and civil drafters earn the most in District of Columbia at $97,880 a year, and the least in New Mexico at $50,230. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,880 | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $76,990 | 2,660 |
| California | $76,520 | 11,400 |
| Colorado | $76,370 | 3,570 |
| Connecticut | $76,290 | 810 |
| New York | $76,260 | 7,380 |
| Maryland | $75,180 | 910 |
| Georgia | $74,940 | 3,970 |
| Oregon | $74,000 | 1,490 |
| Delaware | $73,040 | 290 |
| Washington | $73,000 | 2,530 |
| Rhode Island | $71,700 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $70,680 | 1,930 |
| Tennessee | $69,220 | 1,310 |
| Nevada | $67,000 | 1,100 |
| Maine | $66,200 | 440 |
| Montana | $65,750 | 600 |
| West Virginia | $65,640 | 330 |
| New Hampshire | $65,300 | 400 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,800 | 5,370 |
| Arizona | $64,750 | 2,120 |
| North Dakota | $64,720 | 380 |
| South Carolina | $64,680 | 1,170 |
| Utah | $64,290 | 1,820 |
| Iowa | $64,220 | 980 |
| Wyoming | $63,730 | 200 |
| Hawaii | $63,510 | 610 |
| Virginia | $63,450 | 2,600 |
| Texas | $63,320 | 11,710 |
| New Jersey | $62,960 | 2,280 |
| Wisconsin | $62,930 | 2,200 |
| North Carolina | $62,750 | 2,680 |
| Florida | $62,640 | 7,530 |
| Arkansas | $62,420 | 980 |
| Kansas | $62,220 | 630 |
| Oklahoma | $62,140 | 1,260 |
| Missouri | $61,940 | 2,270 |
| Idaho | $61,840 | 1,010 |
| Nebraska | $61,550 | 850 |
| Ohio | $61,450 | 2,860 |
| Louisiana | $61,010 | 1,040 |
| Vermont | $61,000 | 230 |
| Kentucky | $60,120 | 870 |
| Indiana | $60,000 | 2,240 |
| Mississippi | $59,920 | 330 |
| Michigan | $58,330 | 2,100 |
| Illinois | $58,240 | 1,310 |
| Alabama | $57,100 | 1,010 |
| South Dakota | $52,470 | 460 |
| New Mexico | $50,230 | 690 |
State median wages for architectural and civil drafters (SOC 17-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for architectural and civil drafters
The BLS projects employment of architectural and civil drafters to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 104,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 109,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 9,100 openings a year for architectural and civil drafters. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an architectural and civil drafter
The typical entry-level education for architectural and civil drafters is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an architectural and civil drafter earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $97,880) and the lowest (New Mexico, $50,230) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 103,700 people work as architectural and civil drafters in the United States. At $66,150 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Architectural and civil drafter salary FAQ
How much does an architectural and civil drafter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an architectural and civil drafter is $31.80. The middle half of architectural and civil drafters earn between $26.76 and $38.88 per hour.
What is the highest architectural and civil drafter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of architectural and civil drafters earn more than $99,710 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an architectural and civil drafter make a year?
The median annual salary for an architectural and civil drafter is $66,150. The average (mean) wage of $70,740 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an architectural and civil drafter a well paid job?
At $66,150 a year, an architectural and civil drafter earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 103,700 people work as architectural and civil drafters in the United States.
Which state pays architectural and civil drafters the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for architectural and civil drafters at $97,880 a year. Massachusetts ($76,990) and California ($76,520) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an architectural and civil drafter a good career?
Employment of architectural and civil drafters is projected to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 9,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an architectural and civil drafter?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for architectural and civil drafters as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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