Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $68,290 +6.2% vs national
Median hourly $32.83
10th percentile $58,680
90th percentile $99,490
Employed locally 1,040
National median $64,280

Compare Architectural and Civil Drafters salary & buying power

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
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Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,680
    25th
    $61,770
    50th (median)
    $68,290
    75th
    $87,220
    90th
    $99,490

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 61% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 39% 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
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,050
    Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA $75,290
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $74,760
    Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area $69,200
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $68,820
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $68,470

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $107,930
    Electrical Engineers $135,480
    Mechanical Engineers $117,930
    Industrial Engineers $126,310
    Aerospace Engineers $174,130
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $98,120

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Seattle, WA is $32.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.13 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Seattle, WA is 6.2% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $58,680 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,770.