Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in South Carolina
Architectural and Civil Drafters in South Carolina earn a median of $64,680 a year ($31.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,970 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $66,150. South Carolina ranks 23rd of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.51 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $68,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| 25th percentile | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| Median | $64,680 | $31.09 |
| 75th percentile | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,970 | $48.54 |
| Average (mean) | $68,320 | $32.85 |
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 | $5,390 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,695 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,487.69 |
| Weekly | $1,243.85 |
| Hourly | $31.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $69,440 | 130 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $68,460 | 260 |
| Columbia, SC | $64,110 | 200 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,940 | 740 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $63,200 | 70 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $62,480 | 280 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $60,880 | 50 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,080 | $33.69 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $73,450 | $35.31 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,710 | $25.82 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $43,740 | $21.03 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,580 | $33.45 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $63,740 | $30.64 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $67,610 | $32.50 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,200 | $30.39 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $66,910 | $32.17 |
| Drafters, All Other | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,060 | $48.59 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,600 | $48.85 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in South Carolina is $64,680 a year, or $31.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in South Carolina earn at least $100,970 a year. The top 25% earn $79,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,410 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $50,110 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in South Carolina?
About 1,170 architectural and civil drafters are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.