Architectural and Civil Drafters Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,850
- 25th Percentile — Junior$62,220
- 50th Percentile — Median$76,520
- 75th Percentile — Senior$96,300
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$114,600
Half of Architectural and Civil Drafters in California earn more than $76,520. The top 10% make $114,600 or more, while entry-level workers start around $49,850.
Architectural and Civil Drafters in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 2nd of 50 states for Architectural and Civil Drafters pay, at $80,360 per year (13.6% above the U.S. average of $70,740).
- 11,400 people work as Architectural and Civil Drafters in California — 11.0% of all U.S. Architectural and Civil Drafters jobs.
- Location quotient 0.94: Architectural and Civil Drafters jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,850; the top 10% earn over $114,600.
- Hourly equivalent: $38.63 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $96,900.
- Among engineering jobs in California, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($190,590).
Architectural and Civil Drafters Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Architectural and Civil Drafters here earn $80,360 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $80,360 is roughly equivalent to $56,592 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($96,900), Colorado ($78,240), New York ($78,160) are the closest alternatives for Architectural and Civil Drafters weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Engineering Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Computer Hardware Engineers $190,590/yr California +137.2% vs this role
- Nuclear Engineers $160,980/yr California +100.3% vs this role
- Aerospace Engineers $159,960/yr California +99.1% vs this role
- Electrical Engineers $151,180/yr California +88.1% vs this role
- Petroleum Engineers $147,940/yr California +84.1% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $139,670/yr California +73.8% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $136,660/yr California +70.1% vs this role
- Biomedical Engineers $132,400/yr California +64.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in California?
The average Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in California is $80,360 per year (median $76,520), which is 13.6% above the national average of $70,740.
How does California rank for Architectural and Civil Drafters pay?
California ranks 2nd out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($96,900/yr).
How much do entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Architectural and Civil Drafters in California earn about $49,850 per year and the 25th percentile is $62,220.
How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make per hour in California?
About $38.63 per hour, based on the $80,360 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Architectural and Civil Drafters work in California?
BLS counts 11,400 Architectural and Civil Drafters jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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