Architectural and Civil Drafters earn a median of $66,150 per year ($31.80/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.2% through 2035, with about 9,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 17-3011
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Architectural and Civil Drafter in four numbers
- Median pay
- $66,150a year, or $31.80/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $46KTop 10% $100K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.2%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 9,100104,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025104.1K
- Projected 2035109.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 104.1K Projected 2035 109.5K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Architectural Designer, Architectural Drafter, Architectural Draftsman, CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer), CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician), CADD Drafter (Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Drafter).
Pay
How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make?
Every architectural and civil drafter in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$66,150
Middle half earn $55,650 to $80,870
- 10th
- $46,260
- 25th
- $55,650
- 75th
- $80,870
- 90th
- $99,710
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $46,260 |
| 25th | $55,650 |
| Median | $66,150 |
| 75th | $80,870 |
| 90th | $99,710 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $66,150
- Median hourly wage
- $31.80/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $70,740
- People employed
- 103,700
Versus all US occupations
At $66,150, Architectural and Civil Drafters earn 30% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,170 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 36% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $99,710 or more while the bottom 10% earn $46,260, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 41% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $97,880, and still leads at $89,062 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Architectural and Civil Drafters the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $97,880 | $89,062 | 370 |
| 2Massachusetts | $76,990 | $72,799 | 2,660 |
| 3California | $76,520 | $69,111 | 11,400 |
| 4Colorado | $76,370 | $74,108 | 3,570 |
| 5Connecticut | $76,290 | $73,632 | 810 |
| 6New York | $76,260 | $70,663 | 7,380 |
| 7Maryland | $75,180 | $71,628 | 910 |
| 8Georgia | $74,940 | $77,825 | 3,970 |
| 9Oregon | $74,000 | $71,594 | 1,490 |
| 10Delaware | $73,040 | $73,181 | 290 |
Job outlook
Is Architectural and Civil Drafter a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | +5.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Architectural and Civil Drafters to change 5.2% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 5,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 9,100 openings are projected each year, 8.7% of the 104,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of drafters is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 14,400 openings for drafters are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of drafters varies by occupation (see table).
Getting in
How to become an Architectural and Civil Drafter
Drafters typically complete education after high school, often through a program at a community college or technical school. Some programs lead to an associate of applied science in drafting or a related degree. Others result in a certificate or diploma.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does an Architectural and Civil Drafter 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.
Drafters use software to convert the designs of architects and engineers into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.
Day-to-day tasks
- Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
- Review rough sketches, drawings, specifications, and other engineering data to ensure that they conform to design concepts.
- Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments as necessary.
- Obtain and assemble data to complete architectural designs, visiting job sites to compile measurements as necessary.
- Finish and duplicate drawings and documentation packages according to required mediums and specifications for reproduction, using blueprinting, photography, or other duplicating methods.
- Draw rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data.
- Supervise and train other technologists, technicians, and drafters.
- Supervise or conduct field surveys, inspections, or technical investigations to obtain data required to revise construction drawings.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most drafters work full time. Some work more than 40 hours a week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Critical Thinking3.6
- Active Listening3.5
- Writing3.3
- Speaking3.3
- Monitoring3.3
- Mathematics3.1
- Active Learning3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 |
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Writing | 3.3 |
| Speaking | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Coordination3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Time Management3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Persuasion3.0
- Systems Analysis3.0
- Negotiation2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 |
| Negotiation | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Architectural and Civil Drafter?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Architectural and Civil Drafter |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.5
- Conventional4.9
- Artistic4.5
- Investigative4.2
- Social1.6
- Enterprising1.5
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Architectural and Civil Drafter
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician
$64,950median a year
Most earn $44K to $99K
+3.2%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician
$74,510median a year
Most earn $48K to $106K
+1.3%Associate's - Management
- Architecture and Engineering
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with architectural and civil drafters highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
- Architectural and Civil Drafter$66,150
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafter | $66,150 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Architectural and Civil Drafter appears on
Questions
Architectural and Civil Drafter: frequently asked questions
How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make?
Architectural and Civil Drafters earn a median of $66,150 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 30% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $31.80/hr. The middle half earn between $55,650 and $80,870. The top 10% earn $99,710 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Architectural and Civil Drafter?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Architectural and Civil Drafters.
Is Architectural and Civil Drafter a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.2% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 9,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Architectural and Civil Drafter do?
Drafters use software to convert the designs of architects and engineers into technical drawings. A core O*NET task: produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Desktop publishing software.
Which states pay Architectural and Civil Drafters the most?
The highest state medians for Architectural and Civil Drafters are District of Columbia ($97,880), Massachusetts ($76,990), California ($76,520) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Architectural and Civil Drafter?
O*NET scores Architectural and Civil Drafters highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Artistic interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, INTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.