Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Kentucky
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Kentucky earn a median of $60,120 a year ($28.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,530 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $66,150. Kentucky ranks 43rd of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.43 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $62,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,780 | $18.65 |
| 25th percentile | $48,140 | $23.15 |
| Median | $60,120 | $28.91 |
| 75th percentile | $74,870 | $35.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,530 | $41.60 |
| Average (mean) | $62,850 | $30.22 |
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 | $5,010 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,505 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,312.31 |
| Weekly | $1,156.15 |
| Hourly | $28.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $70,010 | 480 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $62,900 | 280 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $62,550 | 30 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $58,180 | 50 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $55,640 | 250 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $52,980 | 30 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,140 | $29.40 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $46,050 | $22.14 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $65,660 | $31.57 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $55,650 | $26.75 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,050 | $38.01 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Drafters, All Other | $57,930 | $27.85 |
| Industrial Engineer | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,050 | $48.58 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Kentucky is $60,120 a year, or $28.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Kentucky earn at least $86,530 a year. The top 25% earn $74,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,780 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $48,140 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Kentucky?
About 870 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.