Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Wilmington, NC
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $66,660 a year ($32.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,640 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $66,150. Pay here is 6% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $62,750. There are 0.65 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| 25th percentile | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Median | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| 75th percentile | $81,100 | $38.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,640 | $51.27 |
| Average (mean) | $69,190 | $33.26 |
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 | $5,555 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,777.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,563.85 |
| Weekly | $1,281.92 |
| Hourly | $32.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,660 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Architectural and Civil Drafters pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,130 | $50.54 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,100 | $48.61 |
| Surveyor | $72,160 | $34.69 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $129,710 | $62.36 |
| Landscape Architect | $87,440 | $42.04 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $66,660 a year, or $32.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $106,640 a year. The top 25% earn $81,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,310 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $49,790 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Wilmington, NC?
About 120 architectural and civil drafters are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.