Architectural and Civil Drafter Salary in 2026
How Much Do Architectural and Civil Drafters Make?
Architectural and Civil Drafters earn a median annual salary of $64,280 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $44,040 at the 10th percentile to $98,190 at the 90th percentile — a range of $54,150. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,430.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,040 |
| 25th percentile | $52,880 |
| Median (50th) | $64,280 |
| 75th percentile | $79,510 |
| 90th percentile | $98,190 |
Architectural and Civil Drafter Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $88,430 |
| Alaska | $85,700 |
| Colorado | $76,960 |
| Massachusetts | $75,850 |
| New York | $74,760 |
| California | $74,390 |
| Louisiana | $72,580 |
| Maryland | $71,810 |
| Nevada | $71,460 |
| Maine | $70,760 |
| Montana | $68,010 |
| North Dakota | $68,010 |
| Oregon | $67,430 |
| Minnesota | $67,150 |
| Connecticut | $66,920 |
| Rhode Island | $66,820 |
| Georgia | $65,220 |
| Washington | $65,140 |
| Tennessee | $64,980 |
| Hawaii | $64,110 |
| Virginia | $64,100 |
| West Virginia | $63,880 |
| Iowa | $63,640 |
| North Carolina | $63,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,370 |
| Oklahoma | $63,050 |
| South Carolina | $62,890 |
| Wyoming | $62,360 |
| Utah | $62,350 |
| Missouri | $62,290 |
| Wisconsin | $62,260 |
| Delaware | $62,230 |
| New Hampshire | $62,090 |
| Texas | $61,530 |
| Arizona | $61,460 |
| Florida | $61,080 |
| Kansas | $60,940 |
| Indiana | $60,860 |
| Ohio | $60,540 |
| Vermont | $60,470 |
| Arkansas | $60,390 |
| Nebraska | $60,240 |
| New Mexico | $59,050 |
| Idaho | $58,690 |
| Michigan | $57,990 |
| Mississippi | $57,570 |
| New Jersey | $57,240 |
| Illinois | $56,580 |
| Alabama | $56,030 |
| Kentucky | $54,260 |
| South Dakota | $53,060 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Architectural and Civil Drafters
Architectural and Civil Drafter Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$44,040 – $52,880 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$64,280 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$79,510 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $98,190+ |
How to Earn More as an Architectural and Civil Drafter
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Architectural and Civil Drafters in District of Columbia earn $88,430 — $24,150 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($79,510) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Architectural and Civil Drafter Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafterthis career | $64,280 |
| Construction Manager | $106,980 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $167,740 |
| Software Developer | $133,080 |
| Architect | $96,690 |
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SOC: 17-3011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.