Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $63,070 a year ($30.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,040 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 17% lower than the New York statewide median of $76,260. There are 0.59 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,280 | $22.73 |
| 25th percentile | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Median | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| 75th percentile | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,040 | $46.65 |
| Average (mean) | $69,370 | $33.35 |
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 | $5,255.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,627.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,425.77 |
| Weekly | $1,212.88 |
| Hourly | $30.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $77,170 | 6,710 |
| Ithaca, NY | $66,690 | 40 |
| Syracuse, NY | $66,140 | 280 |
| Rochester, NY | $64,770 | 310 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $63,250 | 300 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $62,360 | 120 |
| Kingston, NY | $61,230 | 30 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,100 | $37.55 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,000 | $32.69 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $65,560 | $31.52 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $71,920 | $34.58 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,450 | $30.51 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $53,980 | $25.95 |
| Drafters, All Other | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,260 | $48.68 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,060 | $46.66 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,200 | $46.73 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,180 | $47.20 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $63,070 a year, or $30.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $97,040 a year. The top 25% earn $79,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,280 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $58,670 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 320 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.