Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Pennsylvania
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Pennsylvania earn a median of $64,800 a year ($31.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,680 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $66,150. Pennsylvania ranks 20th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.89 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| 25th percentile | $54,560 | $26.23 |
| Median | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| 75th percentile | $79,570 | $38.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,680 | $46.48 |
| Average (mean) | $69,080 | $33.21 |
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 | $5,400 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,700 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,492.31 |
| Weekly | $1,246.15 |
| Hourly | $31.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PA | $68,230 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $68,160 | 1,070 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $68,120 | 360 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $67,360 | 190 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $67,020 | 2,110 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $64,900 | 260 |
| State College, PA | $63,850 | 90 |
| Lancaster, PA | $63,570 | 330 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $63,180 | 140 |
| Williamsport, PA | $61,710 | 40 |
| Reading, PA | $60,800 | 130 |
| Erie, PA | $60,320 | 50 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $58,550 | 40 |
| Johnstown, PA | $52,750 | 70 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,070 | $36.57 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,820 | $34.05 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $68,930 | $33.14 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $58,270 | $28.02 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Drafters, All Other | $54,240 | $26.08 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,850 | $47.04 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Pennsylvania is $64,800 a year, or $31.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Pennsylvania earn at least $96,680 a year. The top 25% earn $79,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,740 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $54,560 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Pennsylvania?
About 5,370 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.