Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Altoona, PA
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Altoona, PA metro area earn a median of $68,230 a year ($32.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,820 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 5% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $64,800. There are 0.92 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Altoona, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,440 | $21.85 |
| 25th percentile | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Median | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| 75th percentile | $75,910 | $36.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,820 | $43.66 |
| Average (mean) | $68,840 | $33.10 |
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 | $5,685.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,842.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,624.23 |
| Weekly | $1,312.12 |
| Hourly | $32.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $68,160 | 1,070 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $68,120 | 360 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $67,360 | 190 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $67,020 | 2,110 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $64,900 | 260 |
| State College, PA | $63,850 | 90 |
| Lancaster, PA | $63,570 | 330 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $63,180 | 140 |
| Williamsport, PA | $61,710 | 40 |
| Reading, PA | $60,800 | 130 |
| Erie, PA | $60,320 | 50 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $58,550 | 40 |
| Johnstown, PA | $52,750 | 70 |
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 |
See Architectural and Civil Drafters pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Altoona, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,010 | $29.81 |
| Civil Engineer | $93,680 | $45.04 |
| Industrial Engineer | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,270 | $50.61 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Altoona, PA
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 Altoona, PA?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Altoona, PA metro area is $68,230 a year, or $32.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Altoona, PA?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Altoona, PA metro area earn at least $90,820 a year. The top 25% earn $75,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Altoona, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,440 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $52,000 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Altoona, PA?
About 50 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Altoona, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.