Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $65,300 +1.6% vs national
Median hourly $31.40
10th percentile $47,310
90th percentile $97,550
Employed locally 2,030
National median $64,280

Compare Architectural and Civil Drafters salary & buying power

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,310
    25th
    $57,670
    50th (median)
    $65,300
    75th
    $80,340
    90th
    $97,550

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 73% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 27% 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
    Lexington Park, MD $78,010
    Napa, CA $75,510
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $69,790
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $68,630
    Reading, PA $66,770
    Altoona, PA $66,400

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$96,630
    Industrial Engineers$101,040
    Mechanical Engineers$102,180
    Electrical Engineers$125,350
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$100,370
    Engineers, All Other$104,420

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $31.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.58 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 1.6% 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $47,310 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $57,670.