Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $74,540 +16% vs national
Median hourly $35.84
10th percentile $42,540
90th percentile $101,150
Employed locally 50
National median $64,280

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
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Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,540
    25th
    $49,350
    50th (median)
    $74,540
    75th
    $89,740
    90th
    $101,150

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 124% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 24% above 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
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $71,480
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $68,470
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $68,370
    Greenville, NC $68,230

    Related occupations in Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers$80,560
    Mechanical Engineers$84,450
    Electrical Engineers$103,960
    Civil Engineers$88,530
    Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$56,350
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$76,440

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Hickory, NC is $35.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.63 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Hickory, NC is 16% 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 Hickory?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $42,540 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,350.