Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Maryland
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Maryland earn a median of $75,180 a year ($36.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 910 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,690 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $66,150. Maryland ranks 7th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.33 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $75,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| 25th percentile | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Median | $75,180 | $36.14 |
| 75th percentile | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,690 | $49.85 |
| Average (mean) | $75,990 | $36.54 |
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 | $6,265 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,132.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,891.54 |
| Weekly | $1,445.77 |
| Hourly | $36.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,180 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | $78,010 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,020 | 1,610 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $75,810 | 450 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $67,020 | 2,110 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $61,440 | 30 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $95,830 | $46.07 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,180 | $38.07 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,090 | $38.03 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $61,600 | $29.62 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $75,680 | $36.38 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $76,740 | $36.89 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,510 | $32.46 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $91,820 | $44.14 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Drafters, All Other | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $75,330 | $36.22 |
| Engineers, All Other | $129,770 | $62.39 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Maryland is $75,180 a year, or $36.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Maryland?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Maryland earn at least $103,690 a year. The top 25% earn $86,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,670 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $61,870 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Maryland?
About 910 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.