Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Minnesota
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Minnesota earn a median of $70,680 a year ($33.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,110 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $66,150. Minnesota ranks 13th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.65 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Median | $70,680 | $33.98 |
| 75th percentile | $80,780 | $38.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Average (mean) | $72,220 | $34.72 |
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 | $5,890 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,945 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,718.46 |
| Weekly | $1,359.23 |
| Hourly | $33.98 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $83,780 | 60 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $72,020 | 1,390 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $65,030 | 210 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $64,350 | 50 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $64,130 | 70 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,270 | 90 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $60,800 | 60 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $58,860 | 210 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,490 | $33.89 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $73,090 | $35.14 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $73,190 | $35.19 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $81,290 | $39.08 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,990 | $30.77 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $77,330 | $37.18 |
| Drafters, All Other | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,660 | $49.35 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Minnesota is $70,680 a year, or $33.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Minnesota earn at least $98,110 a year. The top 25% earn $80,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,000 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $61,450 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Minnesota?
About 1,930 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.