Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Lake Charles, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lake Charles, LA

Median annual salary $78,390 +22% vs national
Median hourly $37.69
10th percentile $45,570
90th percentile $177,440
Employed locally 40
National median $64,280

Compare Architectural and Civil Drafters salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Lake Charles, LA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Architectural and Civil Drafters
in
Lake Charles, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,570
    25th
    $58,010
    50th (median)
    $78,390
    75th
    $103,030
    90th
    $177,440

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 117% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 17% 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
    Alaska $85,700
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $80,690
    Baton Rouge, LA $78,990
    Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA $77,540
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $77,270
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $76,550

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Engineers, All Other$92,110
    Industrial Engineers$129,260
    Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$65,270
    Chemical Engineers$136,810
    Civil Engineers$106,800
    Petroleum Engineers$153,830

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Lake Charles, LA is $37.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $87.66 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Lake Charles, LA is 22% 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 Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $45,570 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,010.