Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $58,800 a year ($28.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,740 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 1% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $58,240. There are 0.23 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $63,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| 25th percentile | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Median | $58,800 | $28.27 |
| 75th percentile | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,740 | $41.22 |
| Average (mean) | $63,720 | $30.63 |
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 | $4,900 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,450 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,261.54 |
| Weekly | $1,130.77 |
| Hourly | $28.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $70,010 | 480 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $66,370 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $63,440 | 60 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $62,900 | 280 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $62,430 | 970 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $62,330 | 980 |
| Evansville, IN | $59,890 | 100 |
| Peoria, IL | $58,820 | 60 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $58,820 | 40 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $58,810 | 60 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $58,080 | 120 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $57,110 | 160 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $52,790 | 80 |
| Bloomington, IN | $52,410 | 80 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $51,920 | 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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,360 | $39.12 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,890 | $36.01 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,470 | $27.63 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $81,660 | $39.26 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $69,500 | $33.41 |
| Drafters, All Other | $53,300 | $25.62 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,760 | $48.92 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,160 | $48.16 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $58,800 a year, or $28.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $85,740 a year. The top 25% earn $76,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,620 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $48,320 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,040 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.