Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $65,090 a year ($31.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,590 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 6% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $69,220. There are 0.34 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $69,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,680 | $21.96 |
| 25th percentile | $63,970 | $30.75 |
| Median | $65,090 | $31.29 |
| 75th percentile | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Average (mean) | $69,290 | $33.31 |
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 | $5,424.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,712.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,503.46 |
| Weekly | $1,251.73 |
| Hourly | $31.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,090 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $72,180 | 250 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $63,230 | 500 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,630 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $62,550 | 30 |
| Johnson City, TN | $60,530 | 40 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $59,820 | 50 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $59,740 | 190 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $58,780 | 190 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $57,940 | 50 |
| Jackson, MS | $57,790 | 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 |
See Architectural and Civil Drafters pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $56,430 | $27.13 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $61,330 | $29.49 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,510 | $31.02 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Drafters, All Other | $68,020 | $32.70 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,480 | $48.31 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| Engineers, All Other | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 | $50.05 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $65,090 a year, or $31.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $82,590 a year. The top 25% earn $77,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,680 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $63,970 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 210 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.