Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $60,640 -5.7% vs national
Median hourly $29.16
10th percentile $40,800
90th percentile $78,180
Employed locally 40
National median $64,280

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Architectural and Civil Drafters
in
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,800
    25th
    $49,160
    50th (median)
    $60,640
    75th
    $63,480
    90th
    $78,180

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Architectural and Civil Drafters salary vs area income 88% Median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary is 12% 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
    District of Columbia $88,430
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,770
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,050
    California $74,390
    Louisiana $72,580
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $69,200

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers $109,520
    Mechanical Engineers $97,570
    Civil Engineers $94,690
    Materials Engineers $109,120
    Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians $59,230
    Engineers, All Other $96,440

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Waterloo, IA is $29.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.59 or more per hour.

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

    The median Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Waterloo, IA is 5.7% below 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 Waterloo?

    Entry-level Architectural and Civil Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $40,800 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,160.