Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $76,550 +19.1% vs national
Median hourly $36.80
10th percentile $58,060
90th percentile $104,980
Employed locally 1,420
National median $64,280

Compare Architectural and Civil Drafters salary & buying power

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,060
    25th
    $62,460
    50th (median)
    $76,550
    75th
    $86,390
    90th
    $104,980

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 75% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 25% 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
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $75,770
    Vallejo, CA $75,580

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $106,350
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $153,110
    Mechanical Engineers $128,660
    Engineers, All Other $130,550
    Computer Hardware Engineers $169,230
    Industrial Engineers $114,400

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in San Diego, CA is $36.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.62 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in San Diego, CA is 19.1% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $58,060 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,460.