Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Washington
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Washington earn a median of $73,000 a year ($35.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,180 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $66,150. Washington ranks 11th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.71 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| 25th percentile | $61,040 | $29.34 |
| Median | $73,000 | $35.10 |
| 75th percentile | $83,920 | $40.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,180 | $49.12 |
| Average (mean) | $74,420 | $35.78 |
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 | $6,083.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,041.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,807.69 |
| Weekly | $1,403.85 |
| Hourly | $35.10 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $75,830 | 1,520 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $75,750 | 50 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $75,560 | 1,180 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $75,290 | 40 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $72,590 | 90 |
| Bellingham, WA | $62,620 | 60 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $62,020 | 240 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $61,860 | 60 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $60,990 | 80 |
| Yakima, WA | $60,950 | 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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $93,930 | $45.16 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $125,160 | $60.18 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Drafters, All Other | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $72,250 | $34.74 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $93,880 | $45.13 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| Civil Engineer | $110,000 | $52.89 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Washington is $73,000 a year, or $35.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Washington?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Washington earn at least $102,180 a year. The top 25% earn $83,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,990 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $61,040 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Washington?
About 2,530 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.