SOC 17-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Architectural and Civil Drafters — North Dakota
North Dakota · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in North Dakota is $64,720 per year, close to the national median of $66,150 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in North Dakota is $64,720 per year, close to the national median of $66,150 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $58,610 and $77,040. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $47,430 and the ninetieth at $92,820.
The area has 380 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. North Dakota ranks number 22nd out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Bismarck records the highest median at $67,780. Of the 556 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 229th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,430 | −28.3% |
| 25th | $58,610 | −11.4% |
| Median (50th) | $64,720 | −2.2% |
| 75th | $77,040 | +16.5% |
| 90th | $92,820 | +40.3% |
| Mean | $67,570 | +2.1% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $67,780 | 60 | |
| 2 | Fargo | $65,030 | 210 | |
| 3 | Grand Forks | $60,800 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $64,720 goes as far as $72,719 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$64,720as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,719US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,720 a year, 2.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,430 to $92,820 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 380 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 22nd of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bismarck, at $67,780.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in North Dakota?
The median annual wage is $64,720, or $31.12 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 North Dakota is 2.2% lower. 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 North Dakota earns more than $92,820 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,430 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 Bismarck, at $67,780 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 380 jobs in this occupation in North Dakota. 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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