Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Colorado
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Colorado earn a median of $76,370 a year ($36.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,990 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $66,150. Colorado ranks 4th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.2 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| 25th percentile | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| Median | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| 75th percentile | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Average (mean) | $78,240 | $37.62 |
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 | $6,364.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,182.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,937.31 |
| Weekly | $1,468.65 |
| Hourly | $36.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $79,860 | 2,120 |
| Boulder, CO | $75,200 | 190 |
| Greeley, CO | $67,720 | 80 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $63,930 | 350 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $61,850 | 360 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $58,350 | 90 |
| Pueblo, CO | $48,060 | 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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,850 | $32.14 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $98,990 | $47.59 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Drafters, All Other | $67,320 | $32.36 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,420 | $48.76 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Colorado is $76,370 a year, or $36.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Colorado?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Colorado earn at least $107,990 a year. The top 25% earn $92,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,980 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $61,570 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Colorado?
About 3,570 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.