How much does an architectural and civil drafter make in California?
$76,520a year
Median yearly pay for architectural and civil drafters in California. That is $36.79 an hour or $6,377 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.79
- Vs. national median
- +16%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 11,400
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,850Median: $76,520Highest 10%: $114,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,850 | $23.97 | |
| 25th | $62,220 | $29.91 | |
| Median | $76,520 | $36.79 | |
| 75th | $96,300 | $46.30 | |
| 90th | $114,600 | $55.10 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $82,820 |
| San Francisco, CA | $81,130 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $80,040 |
| San Diego, CA | $78,340 |
| Chico, CA | $77,850 |
| Sacramento, CA | $76,950 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $76,630 |
| Napa, CA | $76,000 |
| Vallejo, CA | $75,460 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $73,930 |
| Oxnard, CA | $73,700 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $71,860 |
| Stockton, CA | $70,800 |
| Riverside, CA | $70,580 |
| Visalia, CA | $68,470 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $67,930 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $66,930 |
| Salinas, CA | $66,470 |
| Modesto, CA | $65,230 |
| Fresno, CA | $64,280 |
| Redding, CA | $63,410 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for architectural and civil drafters.
| 1. District of Columbia | $97,880 |
| 2. Massachusetts | $76,990 |
| 3. California | $76,520 |
| 4. Colorado | $76,370 |
| 5. Connecticut | $76,290 |
| 6. New York | $76,260 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an architectural and civil drafter make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $36.79 ($76,520 a year).
Do architectural and civil drafters make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $76,520 against $66,150 nationally, 16% more.
Where does California rank for architectural and civil drafter pay?
California ranks 3 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays architectural and civil drafters the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $82,820 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.