Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary by State
The national median pay for architectural and civil drafters is $66,150 a year. By state, it ranges from $50,230 in New Mexico to $97,880 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $46,260
- 25th percentile
- $55,650
- Median
- $66,150
- 75th percentile
- $80,870
- Top 10%
- $99,710
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 103,700 jobs.
Median pay in 49 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $97,880 | +48% | $67,850 | $120,190 | 370 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $76,990 | +16% | $56,850 | $102,660 | 2,660 |
| 3 | California | $76,520 | +16% | $49,850 | $114,600 | 11,400 |
| 4 | Colorado | $76,370 | +15% | $48,980 | $107,990 | 3,570 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $76,290 | +15% | $51,220 | $90,590 | 810 |
| 6 | New York | $76,260 | +15% | $49,390 | $113,400 | 7,380 |
| 7 | Maryland | $75,180 | +14% | $48,670 | $103,690 | 910 |
| 8 | Georgia | $74,940 | +13% | $46,530 | $108,610 | 3,970 |
| 9 | Oregon | $74,000 | +12% | $57,020 | $98,410 | 1,490 |
| 10 | Delaware | $73,040 | +10% | $48,810 | $88,020 | 290 |
| 11 | Washington | $73,000 | +10% | $55,990 | $102,180 | 2,530 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $71,700 | +8% | $52,000 | $105,650 | 240 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $70,680 | +7% | $52,000 | $98,110 | 1,930 |
| 14 | Tennessee | $69,220 | +5% | $45,050 | $98,020 | 1,310 |
| 15 | Nevada | $67,000 | +1% | $45,570 | $102,650 | 1,100 |
| 16 | Maine | $66,200 | 0% | $48,450 | $93,810 | 440 |
| 17 | Montana | $65,750 | −1% | $48,810 | $84,480 | 600 |
| 18 | West Virginia | $65,640 | −1% | $40,520 | $100,710 | 330 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $65,300 | −1% | $52,740 | $90,710 | 400 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $64,800 | −2% | $46,740 | $96,680 | 5,370 |
| 21 | Arizona | $64,750 | −2% | $44,930 | $99,450 | 2,120 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $64,720 | −2% | $47,430 | $92,820 | 380 |
| 23 | South Carolina | $64,680 | −2% | $46,410 | $100,970 | 1,170 |
| 24 | Utah | $64,290 | −3% | $48,290 | $96,270 | 1,820 |
| 25 | Iowa | $64,220 | −3% | $45,760 | $102,060 | 980 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $63,730 | −4% | $51,080 | $78,470 | 200 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $63,510 | −4% | $48,940 | $95,170 | 610 |
| 28 | Virginia | $63,450 | −4% | $47,170 | $93,970 | 2,600 |
| 29 | Texas | $63,320 | −4% | $44,950 | $100,350 | 11,710 |
| 30 | New Jersey | $62,960 | −5% | $44,700 | $96,120 | 2,280 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $62,930 | −5% | $48,840 | $96,830 | 2,200 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $62,750 | −5% | $42,790 | $95,540 | 2,680 |
| 33 | Florida | $62,640 | −5% | $43,680 | $95,150 | 7,530 |
| 34 | Arkansas | $62,420 | −6% | $49,880 | $81,490 | 980 |
| 35 | Kansas | $62,220 | −6% | $41,950 | $86,380 | 630 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $62,140 | −6% | $43,170 | $91,330 | 1,260 |
| 37 | Missouri | $61,940 | −6% | $44,760 | $90,200 | 2,270 |
| 38 | Idaho | $61,840 | −7% | $45,490 | $97,080 | 1,010 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $61,550 | −7% | $46,580 | $87,260 | 850 |
| 40 | Ohio | $61,450 | −7% | $44,700 | $87,160 | 2,860 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $61,010 | −8% | $43,700 | $107,130 | 1,040 |
| 42 | Vermont | $61,000 | −8% | $47,410 | $78,930 | 230 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $60,120 | −9% | $38,780 | $86,530 | 870 |
| 44 | Indiana | $60,000 | −9% | $43,430 | $93,560 | 2,240 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $59,920 | −9% | $42,740 | $81,010 | 330 |
| 46 | Michigan | $58,330 | −12% | $40,390 | $90,750 | 2,100 |
| 47 | Illinois | $58,240 | −12% | $45,760 | $88,040 | 1,310 |
| 48 | Alabama | $57,100 | −14% | $39,040 | $77,630 | 1,010 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $52,470 | −21% | $41,070 | $72,940 | 460 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $50,230 | −24% | $42,560 | $81,000 | 690 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary questions
Which state pays architectural and civil drafters the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $97,880 a year (+48% vs. the national median of $66,150). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays architectural and civil drafters the least?
New Mexico, with a median of $50,230 a year (−24% vs. national).
Where do most architectural and civil drafters work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 11,710, with a median of $63,320.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.