Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $77,270 +20.2% vs national
Median hourly $37.15
10th percentile $62,490
90th percentile $119,790
Employed locally 2,470
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 Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,490
    25th
    $63,240
    50th (median)
    $77,270
    75th
    $97,300
    90th
    $119,790

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 58% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 42% 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
    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
    Vallejo, CA $75,580

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $126,560
    Computer Hardware Engineers $172,920
    Engineers, All Other $156,140
    Mechanical Engineers $145,640
    Industrial Engineers $133,790
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $125,950

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in San Francisco, CA is $37.15, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.96 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in San Francisco, CA is 20.2% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $62,490 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,240.