Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in New Orleans, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Median annual salary $75,740 +17.8% vs national
Median hourly $36.42
10th percentile $46,250
90th percentile $140,240
Employed locally 270
National median $64,280

Compare Architectural and Civil Drafters salary & buying power

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

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
in
New Orleans, LA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,250
    25th
    $61,990
    50th (median)
    $75,740
    75th
    $110,110
    90th
    $140,240

    New Orleans economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,271 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 122% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 22% 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
    Lake Charles, LA $78,390
    Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA $77,540
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $77,270

    Related occupations in New Orleans, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Engineers, All Other $112,450
    Civil Engineers $100,130
    Industrial Engineers $139,130
    Mechanical Engineers $119,690
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $76,760
    Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other $70,720

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in New Orleans, LA is $36.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $67.42 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in New Orleans, LA is 17.8% 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 New Orleans?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $46,250 per year in New Orleans, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,990.