Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $65,560 +2% vs national
Median hourly $31.52
10th percentile $45,290
90th percentile $81,220
Employed locally 390
National median $64,280

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,290
    25th
    $50,310
    50th (median)
    $65,560
    75th
    $67,650
    90th
    $81,220

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 80% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 20% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $77,270
    Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $67,410
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $64,780
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $63,900
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $63,870
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $63,260

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $98,880
    Industrial Engineers $105,510
    Mechanical Engineers $107,140
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $83,080
    Engineers, All Other $126,170
    Electrical Engineers $114,880

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Charleston, SC is $31.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.87 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Charleston, SC is 2% above 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 Charleston?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $45,290 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,310.