Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in South Dakota
Architectural and Civil Drafters in South Dakota earn a median of $52,470 a year ($25.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,940 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $66,150. South Dakota ranks 49th of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 1.0 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,070 | $19.74 |
| 25th percentile | $46,660 | $22.44 |
| Median | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| 75th percentile | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,940 | $35.07 |
| Average (mean) | $55,530 | $26.70 |
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 | $4,372.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,186.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,018.08 |
| Weekly | $1,009.04 |
| Hourly | $25.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $61,630 | 40 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $58,860 | 210 |
| Rapid City, SD | $57,300 | 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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $54,570 | $26.24 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,670 | $25.80 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,050 | $24.06 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $52,610 | $25.29 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Industrial Engineer | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,980 | $47.59 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,500 | $49.28 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in South Dakota is $52,470 a year, or $25.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in South Dakota earn at least $72,940 a year. The top 25% earn $61,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,070 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $46,660 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in South Dakota?
About 460 architectural and civil drafters are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.