Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Iowa
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Iowa earn a median of $64,220 a year ($30.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 980 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,060 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $66,150. Iowa ranks 25th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.63 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $57,500 | $27.65 |
| Median | $64,220 | $30.87 |
| 75th percentile | $80,390 | $38.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,060 | $49.07 |
| Average (mean) | $69,410 | $33.37 |
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 | $5,351.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,675.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,470 |
| Weekly | $1,235 |
| Hourly | $30.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,220 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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $66,370 | 70 |
| Dubuque, IA | $65,760 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $64,240 | 360 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,670 | $34.46 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $58,950 | $28.34 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Drafters, All Other | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,490 | $29.56 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,690 | $28.22 |
| Industrial Engineer | $97,690 | $46.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,700 | $46.97 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Iowa is $64,220 a year, or $30.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Iowa?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Iowa earn at least $102,060 a year. The top 25% earn $80,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,760 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $57,500 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Iowa?
About 980 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.