Architectural and Civil Drafter Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $76,630 a year — 16% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,825 take-home, or $4,902 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and civil drafter salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,029
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,751
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,111
- California income tax$2,918
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$996
- Take-home pay$58,825
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Architectural and Civil Drafter pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,820 | $23.95 | $40,524 | $3,377 |
| 25th percentile | $63,120 | $30.35 | $50,239 | $4,187 |
| Median (50th) | $76,630 | $36.84 | $58,825 | $4,902 |
| 75th percentile | $93,860 | $45.13 | $69,141 | $5,762 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,370 | $52.10 | $77,811 | $6,484 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,630 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median architectural and civil drafter's $58,825 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,798 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Architectural and Civil Drafter jobs are about as common in Los Angeles, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for architectural and civil drafters, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #4 of 4 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $66,890 | $55,887 | $54,212 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $63,120 | $52,897 | $53,632 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $77,170 | $59,549 | $52,903 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $76,630 | $58,825 | $51,798 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 4 metros →
About the job: architectural and civil drafters
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.2% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and civil drafter make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median architectural and civil drafter salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $76,630 a year, or about $36.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,120 and $93,860.
What is a architectural and civil drafter’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $76,630 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $58,825 a year ($4,902 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,914 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a architectural and civil drafter?
Pay here is 16% above the national median of $66,150. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,798 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #4 of 4 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and civil drafter afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median architectural and civil drafter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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