Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $58,780 a year ($28.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,040 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 15% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $69,220. There are 0.70 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| 25th percentile | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Median | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| 75th percentile | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,040 | $41.37 |
| Average (mean) | $62,300 | $29.95 |
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 | $4,898.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,449.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,260.77 |
| Weekly | $1,130.38 |
| Hourly | $28.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton, GA | $79,410 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $75,010 | 440 |
| Savannah, GA | $74,190 | 110 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $74,180 | 2,170 |
| Knoxville, TN | $72,180 | 250 |
| Gainesville, GA | $71,930 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $69,440 | 130 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $65,090 | 210 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,630 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $62,550 | 30 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $61,490 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $60,530 | 40 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $60,520 | 50 |
| Valdosta, GA | $57,540 | 40 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $57,060 | 40 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $56,430 | 60 |
| Albany, GA | $52,990 | 40 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $64,510 | $31.02 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,590 | $30.57 |
| Drafters, All Other | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,860 | $35.03 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,410 | $47.79 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,630 | $45.97 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,660 | $51.28 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $58,780 a year, or $28.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $86,040 a year. The top 25% earn $72,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,680 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $47,680 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 190 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.