Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Michigan
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Michigan earn a median of $58,330 a year ($28.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,750 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $66,150. Michigan ranks 46th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.48 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $62,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,390 | $19.42 |
| 25th percentile | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| Median | $58,330 | $28.04 |
| 75th percentile | $73,800 | $35.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,750 | $43.63 |
| Average (mean) | $62,210 | $29.91 |
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 | $4,860.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,430.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,243.46 |
| Weekly | $1,121.73 |
| Hourly | $28.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $62,330 | 710 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $62,300 | 80 |
| Flint, MI | $61,440 | 50 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $61,090 | 300 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $60,310 | 90 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $59,280 | 100 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $52,790 | 80 |
| Traverse City, MI | $52,050 | 50 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $48,880 | 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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,510 | $31.01 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,170 | $32.77 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,800 | $35.96 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $72,280 | $34.75 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $62,460 | $30.03 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,340 | $24.20 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $70,140 | $33.72 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $73,860 | $35.51 |
| Drafters, All Other | $67,750 | $32.57 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $69,840 | $33.58 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,890 | $50.43 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Michigan is $58,330 a year, or $28.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Michigan?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Michigan earn at least $90,750 a year. The top 25% earn $73,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,390 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $48,410 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Michigan?
About 2,100 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.