Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $64,600 +0.5% vs national
Median hourly $31.06
10th percentile $45,600
90th percentile $91,290
Employed locally 340
National median $64,280

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,600
    25th
    $56,000
    50th (median)
    $64,600
    75th
    $75,460
    90th
    $91,290

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 77% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 23% 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 Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $96,440
    Industrial Engineers $100,440
    Mechanical Engineers $88,500
    Electrical Engineers $110,350
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $90,520
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians $64,530

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Des Moines, IA is $31.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.29 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Des Moines, IA is 0.5% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $45,600 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,000.