Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Tennessee
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Tennessee earn a median of $69,220 a year ($33.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,020 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $66,150. Tennessee ranks 14th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.40 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $70,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| 25th percentile | $57,140 | $27.47 |
| Median | $69,220 | $33.28 |
| 75th percentile | $80,480 | $38.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,020 | $47.12 |
| Average (mean) | $70,720 | $34.00 |
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 | $5,768.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,884.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,662.31 |
| Weekly | $1,331.15 |
| Hourly | $33.28 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $75,010 | 440 |
| Knoxville, TN | $72,180 | 250 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $65,090 | 210 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,630 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $62,550 | 30 |
| Johnson City, TN | $60,530 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $58,780 | 190 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,270 | $27.53 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $77,180 | $37.11 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $64,720 | $31.12 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $71,660 | $34.45 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,080 | $47.64 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,910 | $46.11 |
| Engineers, All Other | $96,640 | $46.46 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Tennessee is $69,220 a year, or $33.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Tennessee earn at least $98,020 a year. The top 25% earn $80,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,050 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $57,140 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Tennessee?
About 1,310 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.