How much does an architectural and civil drafter make in Chicago?
$58,800a year
Median yearly pay for architectural and civil drafters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $28.27 an hour or $4,900 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.27
- Vs. national median
- -11%
- Rank among cities
- 223 of 285
- Jobs in the area
- 1,040
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $47,620Median: $58,800Highest 10%: $85,740
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,620 | $22.89 | |
| 25th | $48,320 | $23.23 | |
| Median | $58,800 | $28.27 | |
| 75th | $76,580 | $36.82 | |
| 90th | $85,740 | $41.22 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for architectural and civil drafters.
| Davenport, IA | $66,370 |
| Rockford, IL | $63,440 |
| St. Louis, MO | $62,430 |
| Peoria, IL | $58,820 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,500 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $134,500 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $133,900 |
| Electronics Engineer | $125,700 |
| Engineer | $121,900 |
| Health and Safety Engineer | $114,200 |
| Electrical Engineer | $113,500 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,800 |
| Environmental Engineer | $110,700 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an architectural and civil drafter make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $28.27 ($58,800 a year).
Do architectural and civil drafters make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $58,800 against $66,150 nationally, 11% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $58,240, so Chicago pays 1% more.
Where does Chicago rank for architectural and civil drafter pay?
223 of 285 metro areas with data.
How much does an architectural and civil drafter make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $47,620 or less a year; the top 10% make $85,740 or more.
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.