Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $64,310 +0% vs national
Median hourly $30.92
10th percentile $49,880
90th percentile $105,060
Employed locally 60
National median $64,280

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,880
    25th
    $62,400
    50th (median)
    $64,310
    75th
    $78,520
    90th
    $105,060

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 59% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 41% 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
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $76,550
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $75,770

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Mechanical Engineers $129,190
    Civil Engineers $116,440
    Engineers, All Other $129,480
    Industrial Engineers $111,970
    Electrical Engineers $127,050
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $98,290

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Santa Cruz, CA is $30.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.21 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 0% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $49,880 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,400.