Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for architectural and civil drafters in the United States is $66,150 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 104,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,260 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $55,650 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $66,150 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $80,870 | Experienced |
| 90th | $99,710 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,880 | $96,900 | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $76,990 | $77,110 | 3,000 |
| California | $76,520 | $80,360 | 11,000 |
| Colorado | $76,370 | $78,240 | 4,000 |
| Connecticut | $76,290 | $73,150 | 810 |
| New York | $76,260 | $78,160 | 7,000 |
| Maryland | $75,180 | $75,990 | 910 |
| Georgia | $74,940 | $75,040 | 4,000 |
| Oregon | $74,000 | $74,430 | 1,000 |
| Delaware | $73,040 | $70,130 | 290 |
| Washington | $73,000 | $74,420 | 3,000 |
| Rhode Island | $71,700 | $73,900 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $70,680 | $72,220 | 2,000 |
| Tennessee | $69,220 | $70,720 | 1,000 |
| Nevada | $67,000 | $72,990 | 1,000 |
| Maine | $66,200 | $68,240 | 440 |
| Montana | $65,750 | $67,500 | 600 |
| West Virginia | $65,640 | $68,290 | 330 |
| New Hampshire | $65,300 | $68,940 | 400 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,800 | $69,080 | 5,000 |
| Arizona | $64,750 | $69,550 | 2,000 |
| North Dakota | $64,720 | $67,570 | 380 |
| South Carolina | $64,680 | $68,320 | 1,000 |
| Utah | $64,290 | $69,460 | 2,000 |
| Iowa | $64,220 | $69,410 | 980 |
| Wyoming | $63,730 | $64,460 | 200 |
| Hawaii | $63,510 | $68,230 | 610 |
| Virginia | $63,450 | $67,510 | 3,000 |
| Texas | $63,320 | $68,600 | 12,000 |
| New Jersey | $62,960 | $67,820 | 2,000 |
| Wisconsin | $62,930 | $68,880 | 2,000 |
| North Carolina | $62,750 | $66,430 | 3,000 |
| Florida | $62,640 | $65,550 | 8,000 |
| Arkansas | $62,420 | $65,910 | 980 |
| Kansas | $62,220 | $63,790 | 630 |
| Oklahoma | $62,140 | $64,410 | 1,000 |
| Missouri | $61,940 | $66,460 | 2,000 |
| Idaho | $61,840 | $66,900 | 1,000 |
| Nebraska | $61,550 | $65,950 | 850 |
| Ohio | $61,450 | $64,030 | 3,000 |
| Louisiana | $61,010 | $68,500 | 1,000 |
| Vermont | $61,000 | $61,820 | 230 |
| Kentucky | $60,120 | $62,850 | 870 |
| Indiana | $60,000 | $64,350 | 2,000 |
| Mississippi | $59,920 | $60,660 | 330 |
| Michigan | $58,330 | $62,210 | 2,000 |
| Illinois | $58,240 | $63,050 | 1,000 |
| Alabama | $57,100 | $57,890 | 1,000 |
| Guam | $56,710 | $52,010 | 70 |
| South Dakota | $52,470 | $55,530 | 460 |
| New Mexico | $50,230 | $57,740 | 690 |
| Puerto Rico | $44,720 | $44,150 | 690 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a architectural and civil drafters in the US?
The US national median wage for architectural and civil drafters is $66,150 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for architectural and civil drafters in the US?
Pay ranges from $46,260 at the 10th percentile to $99,710 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay architectural and civil drafters the most?
The highest-paying states for architectural and civil drafters include District of Columbia ($97,880), Massachusetts ($76,990), California ($76,520). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does architectural and civil drafters salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — District of Columbia ($97,880) pays roughly 119% more than Puerto Rico ($44,720). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02