Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Montana
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Montana earn a median of $65,750 a year ($31.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,480 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $66,150. Montana ranks 17th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 1.2 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,810 | $23.47 |
| 25th percentile | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Median | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| 75th percentile | $77,510 | $37.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,480 | $40.62 |
| Average (mean) | $67,500 | $32.45 |
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 | $5,479.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,739.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,528.85 |
| Weekly | $1,264.42 |
| Hourly | $31.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Helena, MT | $77,320 | 90 |
| Missoula, MT | $68,760 | 70 |
| Billings, MT | $65,820 | 130 |
| Bozeman, MT | $63,880 | 150 |
| Great Falls, MT | $61,790 | 40 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,330 | $29.00 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,410 | $29.53 |
| Drafters, All Other | $63,200 | $30.39 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $65,730 | $31.60 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,050 | $39.45 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $77,340 | $37.19 |
| Civil Engineer | $93,070 | $44.75 |
| Electrical Engineer | $87,360 | $42.00 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $94,190 | $45.28 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,430 | $50.21 |
| Surveyor | $84,610 | $40.68 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Montana is $65,750 a year, or $31.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Montana?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Montana earn at least $84,480 a year. The top 25% earn $77,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,810 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $58,390 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Montana?
About 600 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.