SOC 17-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Architectural and Civil Drafters — Madison
Madison, WI · 9 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Madison, WI comes to $72,210 a year, ahead of the national median of $66,150 by 9.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Madison, WI comes to $72,210 a year, ahead of the national median of $66,150 by 9.2%. Pay ranges from under $52,570 at the tenth percentile to more than $102,540 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $60,890 to $81,450.
The area has 390 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.42 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Sheboygan records the highest median at $72,040. Of the 534 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 212th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,570 | −20.5% |
| 25th | $60,890 | −8.0% |
| Median (50th) | $72,210 | +9.2% |
| 75th | $81,450 | +23.1% |
| 90th | $102,540 | +55.0% |
| Mean | $73,770 | +11.5% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheboygan | $72,040 | 30 | |
| 2 | La Crosse | $64,350 | 50 | |
| 3 | Oshkosh | $63,850 | 50 | |
| 4 | Green Bay | $62,380 | 190 | |
| 5 | Milwaukee | $61,960 | 730 | |
| 6 | Appleton | $61,890 | 80 | |
| 7 | Janesville | $61,850 | 50 | |
| 8 | Eau Claire | $61,350 | 70 | |
| 9 | Wausau | $59,850 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Madison run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $72,210 goes as far as $76,738 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$72,210as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,738US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $72,210 a year, 9.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $52,570 to $102,540 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 390 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sheboygan, at $72,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Madison, WI?
The median annual wage is $72,210, or $34.71 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $66,150, so pay in Madison, WI is 9.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Madison, WI earns more than $102,540 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $52,570 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Sheboygan, at $72,040 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 390 jobs in this occupation in Madison, WI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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