Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in North Carolina
Architectural and Civil Drafters in North Carolina earn a median of $62,750 a year ($30.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,540 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $66,150. North Carolina ranks 32nd of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.54 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,790 | $20.57 |
| 25th percentile | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| Median | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| 75th percentile | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,540 | $45.93 |
| Average (mean) | $66,430 | $31.94 |
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 | $5,229.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,614.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,413.46 |
| Weekly | $1,206.73 |
| Hourly | $30.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $66,660 | 120 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $65,840 | 730 |
| Greenville, NC | $64,900 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,940 | 740 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $63,230 | 140 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,030 | 410 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $61,080 | 160 |
| Asheville, NC | $59,560 | 140 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $57,180 | 70 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $56,120 | 60 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,040 | $36.56 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,720 | $33.52 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $72,070 | $34.65 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $81,960 | $39.40 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Drafters, All Other | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,660 | $25.80 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,310 | $47.74 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in North Carolina is $62,750 a year, or $30.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in North Carolina earn at least $95,540 a year. The top 25% earn $78,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,790 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $51,780 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in North Carolina?
About 2,680 architectural and civil drafters are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.