Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Louisiana
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Louisiana earn a median of $61,010 a year ($29.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,130 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $66,150. Louisiana ranks 41st of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.54 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $68,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| 25th percentile | $48,090 | $23.12 |
| Median | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| 75th percentile | $81,560 | $39.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,130 | $51.51 |
| Average (mean) | $68,500 | $32.94 |
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 | $5,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,542.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,346.54 |
| Weekly | $1,173.27 |
| Hourly | $29.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | $79,540 | 50 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $70,300 | 340 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $58,640 | 50 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $56,810 | 40 |
| Lafayette, LA | $49,990 | 80 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Drafters, All Other | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $80,670 | $38.78 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,030 | $32.71 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $102,800 | $49.42 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Civil Engineer | $105,380 | $50.66 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $119,540 | $57.47 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Louisiana is $61,010 a year, or $29.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Louisiana earn at least $107,130 a year. The top 25% earn $81,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,700 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $48,090 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Louisiana?
About 1,040 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.