Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $62,330 a year ($29.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,990 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 7% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $58,330. There are 0.37 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $66,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,950 | $21.13 |
| 25th percentile | $50,090 | $24.08 |
| Median | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| 75th percentile | $77,510 | $37.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Average (mean) | $66,510 | $31.98 |
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 | $5,194.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,597.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,397.31 |
| Weekly | $1,198.65 |
| Hourly | $29.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $62,300 | 80 |
| Flint, MI | $61,440 | 50 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $61,090 | 300 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $60,310 | 90 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $59,280 | 100 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $52,790 | 80 |
| Traverse City, MI | $52,050 | 50 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $48,880 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,490 | $33.41 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $77,710 | $37.36 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $49,950 | $24.01 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| Drafters, All Other | $79,960 | $38.44 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $77,470 | $37.24 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $109,470 | $52.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,110 | $50.06 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $62,330 a year, or $29.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $95,990 a year. The top 25% earn $77,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,950 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $50,090 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 710 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.