Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in California
Architectural and Civil Drafters in California earn a median of $76,520 a year ($36.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,600 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $66,150. California ranks 3rd of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.63 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| 25th percentile | $62,220 | $29.91 |
| Median | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| 75th percentile | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,600 | $55.09 |
| Average (mean) | $80,360 | $38.64 |
Half of architectural and civil drafters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,376.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,188.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,943.08 |
| Weekly | $1,471.54 |
| Hourly | $36.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82,820 | 610 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $81,130 | 1,750 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $80,040 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $78,340 | 1,130 |
| Chico, CA | $77,850 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $76,950 | 850 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $76,630 | 3,890 |
| Napa, CA | $76,000 | 60 |
| Vallejo, CA | $75,460 | 70 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $73,930 | 180 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $73,700 | 200 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $71,860 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $70,800 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $70,580 | 840 |
| Visalia, CA | $68,470 | 90 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67,930 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $66,930 | 150 |
| Salinas, CA | $66,470 | 80 |
| Modesto, CA | $65,230 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $64,280 | 260 |
| Redding, CA | $63,410 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for architectural and civil drafters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,880 |
| Massachusetts | $76,990 |
| California | $76,520 |
| Colorado | $76,370 |
| Connecticut | $76,290 |
| New York | $76,260 |
| Maryland | $75,180 |
| Georgia | $74,940 |
| Oregon | $74,000 |
| Delaware | $73,040 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $80,480 | $38.69 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $83,490 | $40.14 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,070 | $38.02 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $87,390 | $42.02 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Drafters, All Other | $73,390 | $35.28 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $99,000 | $47.59 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $79,010 | $37.98 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and civil drafters make in California?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in California is $76,520 a year, or $36.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in California?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in California earn at least $114,600 a year. The top 25% earn $96,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,850 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $62,220 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in California?
About 11,400 architectural and civil drafters are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.