Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $65,840 a year ($31.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,180 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 5% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $62,750. There are 0.98 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| 25th percentile | $52,710 | $25.34 |
| Median | $65,840 | $31.65 |
| 75th percentile | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,180 | $47.20 |
| Average (mean) | $69,980 | $33.65 |
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 | $5,486.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,743.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,532.31 |
| Weekly | $1,266.15 |
| Hourly | $31.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,840 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $66,660 | 120 |
| 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 |
See Architectural and Civil Drafters pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,640 | $34.93 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,560 | $39.21 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $81,960 | $39.40 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,840 | $31.17 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Drafters, All Other | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,440 | $48.77 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,030 | $50.01 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,240 | $62.62 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $65,840 a year, or $31.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $98,180 a year. The top 25% earn $80,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,240 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $52,710 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 730 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.