SOC 173011

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.

National Median

$64,280

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$64,280

Entry Level (10th pct)

$44,040

Experienced (90th pct)

$98,190

Total Employed

109,550

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$44,040 - $52,880
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$52,880 - $79,510
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$79,510 - $98,190

Highest Paying Locations for Architectural and Civil Drafters

Anchorage, AK

$103,710

+61.3% vs national

District of Columbia

$88,430

+37.6% vs national

Alaska

$85,700

+33.3% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$80,690

+25.5% vs national

Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

$79,770

+24.1% vs national

Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Anchorage, AK	$103,710	100
District of Columbia	$88,430	540
Alaska	$85,700	120
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$80,690	730
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$79,770	2,100
Baton Rouge, LA	$78,990	430
Lake Charles, LA	$78,390	40
Boulder, CO	$78,280	160
Rochester, MN	$78,160	120
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA	$77,540	60
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$77,270	2,470
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$77,050	1,710
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$77,040	2,210
Colorado	$76,960	3,300
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$76,790	210
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$76,550	1,420
Portland-South Portland, ME	$76,370	450
Massachusetts	$75,850	2,730
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$75,770	270
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$75,740	270
Salem, OR	$75,710	170
Vallejo, CA	$75,580	70
Napa, CA	$75,510	50
Helena, MT	$74,950	90
New York	$74,760	8,010
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$74,760	7,590
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$74,620	4,050
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	$74,540	50
California	$74,390	12,950
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$73,990	70
Dalton, GA	$73,620	40
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$73,330	2,440
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$73,230	900
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$72,600	250
Louisiana	$72,580	1,180
Colorado Springs, CO	$72,320	310
Bismarck, ND	$71,950	50
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$71,830	N/A
Maryland	$71,810	1,030
Tucson, AZ	$71,510	250
Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area	$71,480	70
Nevada	$71,460	1,310
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$71,460	1,000
Maine	$70,760	690
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$70,390	210
Knoxville, TN	$70,270	250
Ithaca, NY	$70,260	40
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$69,900	140
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$69,790	1,730
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$69,200	510

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Architectural and Civil Drafters?

The national median annual salary for Architectural and Civil Drafters is $64,280, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Architectural and Civil Drafterss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Architectural and Civil Drafterss is Anchorage, AK, with a median salary of $103,710.

How much can an experienced Architectural and Civil Drafters make?

Top-earning Architectural and Civil Drafterss (90th percentile) make $98,190 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.