Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $60,880 -5.3% vs national
Median hourly $29.27
10th percentile $38,050
90th percentile $100,900
Employed locally 4,960
National median $64,280

Compare Architectural and Civil Drafters salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Houston, TX stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,050
    25th
    $48,660
    50th (median)
    $60,880
    75th
    $78,370
    90th
    $100,900

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 76% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 24% 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
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $67,450
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $63,730
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $63,020
    Longview, TX $62,740
    Abilene, TX $61,480
    Killeen-Temple, TX $61,340

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $98,690
    Industrial Engineers $116,170
    Mechanical Engineers $126,870
    Petroleum Engineers $159,990
    Electrical Engineers $110,210
    Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other $76,740

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Houston, TX is $29.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.08 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Houston, TX is 5.3% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $38,050 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,660.