Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Ames, IA
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $63,620 a year ($30.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,530 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $64,220. There are 0.86 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| 25th percentile | $59,390 | $28.55 |
| Median | $63,620 | $30.59 |
| 75th percentile | $83,630 | $40.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,530 | $50.25 |
| Average (mean) | $70,970 | $34.12 |
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 | $5,301.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,650.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,446.92 |
| Weekly | $1,223.46 |
| Hourly | $30.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,620 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $66,370 | 70 |
| Dubuque, IA | $65,760 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $64,240 | 360 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,200 | 500 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,660 | 100 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $61,630 | 40 |
| Iowa City, IA | $59,990 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,200 | $48.17 |
| Industrial Engineer | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,610 | $47.41 |
| Engineers, All Other | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,750 | $49.88 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $95,750 | $46.04 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
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 Ames, IA?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Ames, IA metro area is $63,620 a year, or $30.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $104,530 a year. The top 25% earn $83,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,550 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $59,390 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Ames, IA?
About 50 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.