Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $80,690 +25.5% vs national
Median hourly $38.79
10th percentile $59,780
90th percentile $139,110
Employed locally 730
National median $64,280

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
in
San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,780
    25th
    $71,630
    50th (median)
    $80,690
    75th
    $100,220
    90th
    $139,110

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 51% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 49% 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
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,770
    Baton Rouge, LA $78,990

    Nearby metros — Architectural and Civil Drafters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Vallejo, CA $75,580

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer Hardware Engineers $197,090
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $179,050
    Electrical Engineers $186,920
    Mechanical Engineers $147,730
    Industrial Engineers $136,290
    Engineers, All Other $157,770

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in San Jose, CA is $38.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.75 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in San Jose, CA is 25.5% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $59,780 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $71,630.