Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Virginia
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Virginia earn a median of $63,450 a year ($30.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,970 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $66,150. Virginia ranks 28th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.63 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| 25th percentile | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| Median | $63,450 | $30.51 |
| 75th percentile | $76,800 | $36.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| Average (mean) | $67,510 | $32.46 |
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 | $5,287.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,643.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,440.38 |
| Weekly | $1,220.19 |
| Hourly | $30.51 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,020 | 1,610 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $63,770 | 30 |
| Richmond, VA | $62,830 | 380 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,630 | 40 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $62,400 | 80 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,030 | 410 |
| Roanoke, VA | $61,080 | 120 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $59,860 | 60 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $57,310 | 50 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,540 | $38.24 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $98,410 | $47.31 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $56,760 | $27.29 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,310 | $31.88 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,650 | $36.37 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $69,630 | $33.48 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $72,730 | $34.97 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Drafters, All Other | $67,220 | $32.32 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $52,330 | $25.16 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,120 | $46.69 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Virginia is $63,450 a year, or $30.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Virginia?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Virginia earn at least $93,970 a year. The top 25% earn $76,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,170 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $53,940 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Virginia?
About 2,600 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.