Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Wisconsin
Architectural and Civil Drafters in Wisconsin earn a median of $62,930 a year ($30.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,830 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $66,150. Wisconsin ranks 31st of 50 states for architectural and civil drafters pay. There are 0.75 architectural and civil drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and civil drafters in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| 25th percentile | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Median | $62,930 | $30.25 |
| 75th percentile | $78,620 | $37.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,830 | $46.55 |
| Average (mean) | $68,880 | $33.12 |
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 | $5,244.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,622.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,420.38 |
| Weekly | $1,210.19 |
| Hourly | $30.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $72,210 | 390 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $72,040 | 30 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $72,020 | 1,390 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $64,350 | 50 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $63,850 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $62,380 | 190 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $61,960 | 730 |
| Appleton, WI | $61,890 | 80 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $61,850 | 50 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $61,350 | 70 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,270 | 90 |
| Wausau, WI | $59,850 | 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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,880 | $34.56 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,850 | $32.62 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $74,940 | $36.03 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $75,650 | $36.37 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,060 | $29.36 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Drafters, All Other | $73,040 | $35.12 |
| Industrial Engineer | $96,980 | $46.62 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $95,870 | $46.09 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for architectural and civil drafters in Wisconsin is $62,930 a year, or $30.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and civil drafters make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of architectural and civil drafters in Wisconsin earn at least $96,830 a year. The top 25% earn $78,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and civil drafters in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,840 a year, and a quarter of architectural and civil drafters earn $57,380 or less.
How many architectural and civil drafters work in Wisconsin?
About 2,200 architectural and civil drafters are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.