Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $64,240 a year ($30.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,290 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $64,220. There are 0.90 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| 25th percentile | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Median | $64,240 | $30.89 |
| 75th percentile | $79,650 | $38.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,290 | $46.29 |
| Average (mean) | $69,730 | $33.53 |
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 | $5,353.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,676.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,470.77 |
| Weekly | $1,235.38 |
| Hourly | $30.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $66,370 | 70 |
| Dubuque, IA | $65,760 | 60 |
| Ames, IA | $63,620 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,200 | 500 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,660 | 100 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $61,630 | 40 |
| Iowa City, IA | $59,990 | 70 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,040 | $28.87 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Drafters, All Other | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $51,200 | $24.62 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,330 | $46.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,460 | $46.85 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $64,240 a year, or $30.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $96,290 a year. The top 25% earn $79,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,590 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $60,110 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 360 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.