Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Knoxville, TN
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $72,180 a year ($34.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,170 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 4% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $69,220. There are 0.58 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,640 | $23.38 |
| 25th percentile | $63,780 | $30.67 |
| Median | $72,180 | $34.70 |
| 75th percentile | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| Average (mean) | $77,940 | $37.47 |
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 | $6,015 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,007.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,776.15 |
| Weekly | $1,388.08 |
| Hourly | $34.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $72,180 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $75,010 | 440 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $65,090 | 210 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,630 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $62,550 | 30 |
| Johnson City, TN | $60,530 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $58,780 | 190 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $91,440 | $43.96 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Drafters, All Other | $34,620 | $16.65 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $74,390 | $35.76 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,320 | $46.31 |
| Industrial Engineer | $95,750 | $46.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,070 | $47.63 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $72,180 a year, or $34.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $109,170 a year. The top 25% earn $94,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,640 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $63,780 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Knoxville, TN?
About 250 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.