Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $79,860 a year ($38.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,190 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 5% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $76,370. There are 1.3 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| 25th percentile | $65,350 | $31.42 |
| Median | $79,860 | $38.40 |
| 75th percentile | $97,910 | $47.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,190 | $54.90 |
| Average (mean) | $83,770 | $40.27 |
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 | $6,655 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,327.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,071.54 |
| Weekly | $1,535.77 |
| Hourly | $38.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $75,200 | 190 |
| Greeley, CO | $67,720 | 80 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $63,930 | 350 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $61,850 | 360 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $58,350 | 90 |
| Pueblo, CO | $48,060 | 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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,080 | $37.54 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,530 | $38.24 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $123,350 | $59.30 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $90,160 | $43.35 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,910 | $37.94 |
| Drafters, All Other | $67,320 | $32.36 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $58,180 | $27.97 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Civil Engineer | $104,710 | $50.34 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $128,180 | $61.62 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $79,860 a year, or $38.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $114,190 a year. The top 25% earn $97,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,260 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $65,350 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 2,120 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.