Architectural and Civil Drafter Salary
Architectural and Civil Drafters earn a median $66,150 a year nationally. Architecture and Engineering Occupations
What architectural and civil drafters do
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)
- Openings per year
- 9,100
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. About 9,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Architectural and Civil Drafter take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,758
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,101
- Medicare (1.45%)$959
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$55,332
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,260 | $22.24 | $39,350 |
| 25th percentile | $55,650 | $26.75 | $46,895 |
| Median (50th) | $66,150 | $31.80 | $55,332 |
| 75th percentile | $80,870 | $38.88 | $65,722 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,710 | $47.94 | $78,976 |
Best cities for architectural and civil drafters (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $66,890 | $55,887 | $54,212 | 3,360 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $63,120 | $52,897 | $53,632 | 4,130 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $77,170 | $59,549 | $52,903 | 6,710 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $76,630 | $58,825 | $51,798 | 3,890 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $77,170
- Los Angeles, CA — $76,630
- Dallas, TX — $66,890
- Houston, TX — $63,120
Architectural and Civil Drafter salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,880 | +10.7% | $72,337 | $67,850 – $120,190 | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $76,990 | +1.5% | $59,363 | $56,850 – $102,660 | 2,660 |
| California | $76,520 | +2.9% | $58,758 | $49,850 – $114,600 | 11,400 |
| Colorado | $76,370 | −0.8% | $59,904 | $48,980 – $107,990 | 3,570 |
| Connecticut | $76,290 | +14.0% | $59,879 | $51,220 – $90,590 | 810 |
| New York | $76,260 | +2.0% | $58,958 | $49,390 – $113,400 | 7,380 |
| Maryland | $75,180 | +4.7% | $58,512 | $48,670 – $103,690 | 910 |
| Georgia | $74,940 | +14.9% | $58,284 | $46,530 – $108,610 | 3,970 |
| Oregon | $74,000 | +9.7% | $55,244 | $57,020 – $98,410 | 1,490 |
| Delaware | $73,040 | +17.4% | $56,734 | $48,810 – $88,020 | 290 |
| Washington | $73,000 | +12.1% | $60,186 | $55,990 – $102,180 | 2,530 |
| Rhode Island | $71,700 | +7.3% | $57,199 | $52,000 – $105,650 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $70,680 | +5.3% | $55,271 | $52,000 – $98,110 | 1,930 |
| Tennessee | $69,220 | +6.5% | $57,526 | $45,050 – $98,020 | 1,310 |
| Nevada | $67,000 | −6.2% | $55,965 | $45,570 – $102,650 | 1,100 |
| Maine | $66,200 | −6.4% | $52,085 | $48,450 – $93,810 | 440 |
| Montana | $65,750 | −3.3% | $52,656 | $48,810 – $84,480 | 600 |
| West Virginia | $65,640 | +2.8% | $52,693 | $40,520 – $100,710 | 330 |
| New Hampshire | $65,300 | +5.2% | $54,649 | $52,740 – $90,710 | 400 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,800 | +2.3% | $52,257 | $46,740 – $96,680 | 5,370 |
| Arizona | $64,750 | +5.4% | $52,797 | $44,930 – $99,450 | 2,120 |
| North Dakota | $64,720 | −4.8% | $54,180 | $47,430 – $92,820 | 380 |
| South Carolina | $64,680 | +2.8% | $51,427 | $46,410 – $100,970 | 1,170 |
| Utah | $64,290 | +3.1% | $51,910 | $48,290 – $96,270 | 1,820 |
| Iowa | $64,220 | +0.9% | $51,992 | $45,760 – $102,060 | 980 |
| Wyoming | $63,730 | +2.2% | $53,387 | $51,080 – $78,470 | 200 |
| Hawaii | $63,510 | −0.9% | $49,914 | $48,940 – $95,170 | 610 |
| Virginia | $63,450 | −1.0% | $50,328 | $47,170 – $93,970 | 2,600 |
| Texas | $63,320 | +2.9% | $53,058 | $44,950 – $100,350 | 11,710 |
| New Jersey | $62,960 | +10.0% | $50,838 | $44,700 – $96,120 | 2,280 |
| Wisconsin | $62,930 | +1.1% | $50,756 | $48,840 – $96,830 | 2,200 |
| North Carolina | $62,750 | −1.3% | $50,605 | $42,790 – $95,540 | 2,680 |
| Florida | $62,640 | +2.6% | $52,511 | $43,680 – $95,150 | 7,530 |
| Arkansas | $62,420 | +3.4% | $50,113 | $49,880 – $81,490 | 980 |
| Kansas | $62,220 | +2.1% | $49,502 | $41,950 – $86,380 | 630 |
| Oklahoma | $62,140 | −1.4% | $49,859 | $43,170 – $91,330 | 1,260 |
| Missouri | $61,940 | −0.6% | $49,975 | $44,760 – $90,200 | 2,270 |
| Idaho | $61,840 | +5.4% | $49,699 | $45,490 – $97,080 | 1,010 |
| Nebraska | $61,550 | +2.2% | $49,714 | $46,580 – $87,260 | 850 |
| Ohio | $61,450 | +1.5% | $50,648 | $44,700 – $87,160 | 2,860 |
| Louisiana | $61,010 | −15.9% | $49,757 | $43,700 – $107,130 | 1,040 |
| Vermont | $61,000 | +0.9% | $49,584 | $47,410 – $78,930 | 230 |
| Kentucky | $60,120 | +10.8% | $48,500 | $38,780 – $86,530 | 870 |
| Indiana | $60,000 | −1.4% | $48,650 | $43,430 – $93,560 | 2,240 |
| Mississippi | $59,920 | +4.1% | $48,661 | $42,740 – $81,010 | 330 |
| Michigan | $58,330 | +0.6% | $46,820 | $40,390 – $90,750 | 2,100 |
| Illinois | $58,240 | +2.9% | $46,238 | $45,760 – $88,040 | 1,310 |
| Alabama | $57,100 | +1.9% | $45,470 | $39,040 – $77,630 | 1,010 |
| South Dakota | $52,470 | −1.1% | $44,340 | $41,070 – $72,940 | 460 |
| New Mexico | $50,230 | −14.9% | $41,345 | $42,560 – $81,000 | 690 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drafters, All Other | $63,520 | Associate's degree | -7.3% |
| Mechanical Drafter | $71,550 | Associate's degree | -6.0% |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafter | $76,870 | Associate's degree | -3.4% |
| Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician | $66,120 | Associate's degree | +3.1% |
| Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician | $64,950 | Associate's degree | +3.2% |
| Calibration Technologist and Technician | $67,820 | Associate's degree | +4.8% |
| Environmental Engineering Technologist and Technician | $59,920 | Associate's degree | +3.1% |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician | $73,900 | Associate's degree | +2.6% |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician | $74,510 | Associate's degree | +1.3% |
| Surveying and Mapping Technician | $54,240 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and civil drafter make?
The national median salary for architectural and civil drafters is $66,150 a year ($31.80 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,260 and the top 10% earn over $99,710. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays architectural and civil drafters the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $97,880. After taxes and local prices, Dallas, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many architectural and civil drafters are there in the U.S.?
About 103,700 people work as architectural and civil drafters nationwide.