Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $63,620 -1% vs national
Median hourly $30.59
10th percentile $46,550
90th percentile $104,530
Employed locally 50
National median $64,280

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,550
    25th
    $59,390
    50th (median)
    $63,620
    75th
    $83,630
    90th
    $104,530

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 89% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 11% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Architectural and Civil Drafters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Anchorage, AK $103,710
    District of Columbia $88,430
    Alaska $85,700
    Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area $81,370
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $80,690
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,770

    Nearby metros — Architectural and Civil Drafters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $88,430
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,770
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,050
    California $74,390
    Louisiana $72,580
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $69,200

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $101,290
    Mechanical Engineers $103,020
    Industrial Engineers $101,380
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians $76,530
    Engineers, All Other $100,400
    Electrical Engineers $106,450

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Ames, IA is $30.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.25 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Architectural and Civil Drafters salaries?

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Ames, IA is 1% below the national median of $64,280. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Ames?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $46,550 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,390.