SOC 17-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Architectural and Civil Drafters — Washington
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
The median wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Washington, DC is $76,020 per year, 14.9% above the national median of $66,150.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Washington, DC is $76,020 per year, 14.9% above the national median of $66,150. Pay ranges from under $55,730 at the tenth percentile to more than $116,000 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $63,200 to $92,820.
Employment stands at 1,610, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 322nd of 707 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,730 | −15.8% |
| 25th | $63,200 | −4.5% |
| Median (50th) | $76,020 | +14.9% |
| 75th | $92,820 | +40.3% |
| 90th | $116,000 | +75.4% |
| Mean | $80,650 | +21.9% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Washington run 9.9% above the national average, so the median of $76,020 buys what $69,172 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$76,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
109.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$69,172US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $76,020 a year, 14.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $55,730 to $116,000 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,610 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Architectural and Civil Drafters in Washington, DC?
The median annual wage is $76,020, or $36.55 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 Washington, DC is 14.9% 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 Washington, DC earns more than $116,000 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $55,730 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,610 jobs in this occupation in Washington, DC. 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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