Architectural and Civil Drafter Salary in New York, NY
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area earn a median $77,170 a year — 17% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,549 take-home, or $4,962 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and civil drafter salary in New York, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,147
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,785
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,119
- New York income tax$3,570
- Take-home pay$59,549
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.40% state
Living in New York City? City residents also pay New York City’s city income tax — about $2,556 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $56,993 ($4,749 a month). Choose “New York City” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro spans New York, New Jersey. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Architectural and Civil Drafter pay by experience in New York, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,110 | $23.61 | $39,585 | $3,299 |
| 25th percentile | $61,500 | $29.57 | $48,871 | $4,073 |
| Median (50th) | $77,170 | $37.10 | $59,549 | $4,962 |
| 75th percentile | $94,720 | $45.54 | $70,917 | $5,910 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,430 | $57.42 | $86,843 | $7,237 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,170 buys in New York, NY
Prices in New York, NY are 12.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.49× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median architectural and civil drafter's $59,549 take-home pay has the buying power of $52,903 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 New York, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for architectural and civil drafters, adjusted for cost of living
New York, NY ranks #3 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 New York, NY?
The median architectural and civil drafter salary in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area is $77,170 a year, or about $37.10 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,500 and $94,720.
What is a architectural and civil drafter’s take-home pay in New York, NY?
On the median $77,170 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $59,549 a year ($4,962 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,570 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is New York, NY a good place to work as a architectural and civil drafter?
Pay here is 17% above the national median of $66,150. Local prices are 12.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $52,903 would in a typical U.S. city. New York, NY ranks #3 of 4 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and civil drafter afford rent in New York, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in New York, NY is $2,378 a month ($2,697 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median architectural and civil drafter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in New York, NY
- Engineers, All Other — $135,300
- Electrical Engineer — $128,340
- Mechanical Engineer — $109,990
- Civil Engineer — $107,330
- Industrial Engineer — $105,840
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $99,710
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $82,000