Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $56,150 -12.6% vs national
Median hourly $27.00
10th percentile $43,410
90th percentile $86,490
Employed locally 1,350
National median $64,280

Compare Architectural and Civil Drafters salary & buying power

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,410
    25th
    $46,750
    50th (median)
    $56,150
    75th
    $74,410
    90th
    $86,490

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 63% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 37% 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
    Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA $77,540
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $73,230
    Knoxville, TN $70,270
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $68,820
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $68,470
    Greenville, NC $68,230

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers$100,940
    Civil Engineers$100,280
    Mechanical Engineers$100,390
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$79,240
    Electrical Engineers$109,010
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$76,590

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Chicago, IL-IN is $27.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.22 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 12.6% 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $43,410 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,750.