Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Los Angeles, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median annual salary $74,620 +16.1% vs national
Median hourly $35.87
10th percentile $51,960
90th percentile $106,160
Employed locally 4,050
National median $64,280

Compare Architectural and Civil Drafters salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
in
Los Angeles, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,960
    25th
    $63,120
    50th (median)
    $74,620
    75th
    $90,820
    90th
    $106,160

    Los Angeles economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 80% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 20% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $80,690
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $77,270
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $77,040
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $76,790
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $76,550
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $75,770

    Related occupations in Los Angeles, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $105,290
    Industrial Engineers $108,300
    Mechanical Engineers $114,290
    Engineers, All Other $122,000
    Electrical Engineers $134,900
    Aerospace Engineers $143,860

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Los Angeles, CA is $35.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $52.10 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Los Angeles, CA is 16.1% 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 Los Angeles?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $51,960 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,120.