Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $62,820 -2.3% vs national
Median hourly $30.20
10th percentile $42,650
90th percentile $96,310
Employed locally 160
National median $64,280

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
in
Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,650
    25th
    $56,710
    50th (median)
    $62,820
    75th
    $80,570
    90th
    $96,310

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 78% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 22% 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
    Anchorage, AK $103,710
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $77,270
    Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $74,540
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $71,480
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $68,470
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $68,370

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers $104,230
    Electrical Engineers $112,090
    Civil Engineers $92,670
    Mechanical Engineers $101,560
    Surveying and Mapping Technicians $61,000
    Engineers, All Other $107,890

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Durham, NC is $30.20, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.88 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Durham, NC is 2.3% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $42,650 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,710.