California ranks 6th of 51 states and D.C. for architectural and civil drafters pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($88,430) by $14,040 — a 19% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $51,310 to $113,470 — a $62,160 spread, 15% wider than the national $54,150 range.
California employs roughly 11.8% of all architectural and civil drafters in the country (12,950 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| 25th percentile | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,390 | $35.76 |
| 75th percentile | $89,860 | $43.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,470 | $54.55 |
| Mean (average) | $78,750 | $37.86 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $74,390 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $88,430 | +19% |
| Alaska | $85,700 | +15% |
| Colorado | $76,960 | +3% |
| Massachusetts | $75,850 | +2% |
| New York | $74,760 | +0% |
| Louisiana | $72,580 | -2% |
| Maryland | $71,810 | -3% |
| Nevada | $71,460 | -4% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers | $74,580 | 15,240 |
| Carpenters | $74,820 | 106,500 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $73,920 | 141,300 |
| Medical Equipment Repairers | $73,860 | 6,010 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $73,840 | 25,790 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $75,090 | 164,320 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in California?
The mean architectural and civil drafters salary in California is $78,750 per year. The median (middle) salary is $74,390 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Architectural and Civil Drafters in California?
Entry-level architectural and civil drafterss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $51,310 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $62,490 per year.
What is the highest Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $113,470 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $89,860 per year.
How does the California Architectural and Civil Drafters salary compare to the national average?
The median architectural and civil drafters salary in California is $74,390, which is +16% above national average of $64,280.