Architectural and Civil Drafters Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$67,850
- 25th Percentile — Junior$78,960
- 50th Percentile — Median$97,880
- 75th Percentile — Senior$118,490
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$120,190
Half of Architectural and Civil Drafters in District of Columbia earn more than $97,880. The top 10% make $120,190 or more, while entry-level workers start around $67,850.
Architectural and Civil Drafters in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 1st of 50 states for Architectural and Civil Drafters pay, at $96,900 per year (37.0% above the U.S. average of $70,740).
- 370 people work as Architectural and Civil Drafters in District of Columbia — 0.4% of all U.S. Architectural and Civil Drafters jobs.
- Location quotient 0.80: Architectural and Civil Drafters jobs are less concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $67,850; the top 10% earn over $120,190.
- Hourly equivalent: $46.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among engineering jobs in District of Columbia, Nuclear Engineers pays the most ($180,480).
Architectural and Civil Drafters Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Architectural and Civil Drafters here earn $96,900 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $96,900 is roughly equivalent to $63,750 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($80,360), 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 District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Nuclear Engineers $180,480/yr District of Columbia +86.3% vs this role
- Computer Hardware Engineers $162,180/yr District of Columbia +67.4% vs this role
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects $156,300/yr District of Columbia +61.3% vs this role
- Aerospace Engineers $154,410/yr District of Columbia +59.3% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $146,600/yr District of Columbia +51.3% vs this role
- Electrical Engineers $142,760/yr District of Columbia +47.3% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $138,500/yr District of Columbia +42.9% vs this role
- Civil Engineers $115,810/yr District of Columbia +19.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in District of Columbia?
The average Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in District of Columbia is $96,900 per year (median $97,880), which is 37.0% above the national average of $70,740.
How does District of Columbia rank for Architectural and Civil Drafters pay?
District of Columbia ranks 1st 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 District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Architectural and Civil Drafters in District of Columbia earn about $67,850 per year and the 25th percentile is $78,960.
How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $46.59 per hour, based on the $96,900 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Architectural and Civil Drafters work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 370 Architectural and Civil Drafters jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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