Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Chico, CA
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Chico, CA metro area earn a median of $77,850 a year ($37.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,610 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 2% higher than the California statewide median of $76,520. There are 0.91 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,610, close to the median.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Chico, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,520 | $27.66 |
| 25th percentile | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Median | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| 75th percentile | $96,440 | $46.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,610 | $47.89 |
| Average (mean) | $77,610 | $37.31 |
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 | $6,487.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,243.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,994.23 |
| Weekly | $1,497.12 |
| Hourly | $37.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82,820 | 610 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $81,130 | 1,750 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $80,040 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $78,340 | 1,130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $76,950 | 850 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $76,630 | 3,890 |
| Napa, CA | $76,000 | 60 |
| Vallejo, CA | $75,460 | 70 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $73,930 | 180 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $73,700 | 200 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $71,860 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $70,800 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $70,580 | 840 |
| Visalia, CA | $68,470 | 90 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67,930 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $66,930 | 150 |
| Salinas, CA | $66,470 | 80 |
| Modesto, CA | $65,230 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $64,280 | 260 |
| Redding, CA | $63,410 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chico, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $107,350 | $51.61 |
| Engineers, All Other | $131,660 | $63.30 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,350 | $47.77 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $109,210 | $52.51 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Chico, CA
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 Chico, CA?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Chico, CA metro area is $77,850 a year, or $37.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Chico, CA?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Chico, CA metro area earn at least $99,610 a year. The top 25% earn $96,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Chico, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,520 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $60,650 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Chico, CA?
About 70 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Chico, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.