Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Rhode Island
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Rhode Island earn a median of $71,700 a year ($34.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,650 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $66,150. Rhode Island ranks 12th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.47 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $73,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $61,640 | $29.64 |
| Median | $71,700 | $34.47 |
| 75th percentile | $83,960 | $40.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,650 | $50.79 |
| Average (mean) | $73,900 | $35.53 |
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 | $5,975 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,987.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,757.69 |
| Weekly | $1,378.85 |
| Hourly | $34.47 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $70,780 | 370 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $98,600 | $47.40 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $69,290 | $33.31 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $116,230 | $55.88 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,300 | $47.74 |
| Industrial Engineer | $109,350 | $52.57 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $136,360 | $65.56 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $119,510 | $57.46 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Rhode Island is $71,700 a year, or $34.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Rhode Island earn at least $105,650 a year. The top 25% earn $83,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,000 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $61,640 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Rhode Island?
About 240 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.