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Salary comparison

Drafters, All Other vs. Civil Engineers: Who Earns More?

Civil Engineerss out-earn Drafters, All Others by $37K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Drafters, All Others land at $63,520 and Civil Engineerss at $100,840. The education gap is real: drafters, all other programs typically require bachelor's degree, while civil engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Drafters, All Others is New Jersey ($77,840); for Civil Engineerss it's California ($122,500).

Drafters, All Other
Civil Engineers
Median salary
$63,520
$100,840
Hourly rate
$30.54/hr
$48.48/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$43,420
$68,240
Senior level (90th %)
$99,380
$163,220
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
14,470
367,840
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
5%
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Top-paying state
New Jersey
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Drafters, All Other median pay.

State
Drafters, All Other
Civil Engineers
New Jersey
$77,840
$104,660
California
$73,390
$122,500
Washington
$72,800
$110,000
New York
$72,190
$103,760
Massachusetts
$72,100
$106,730
Louisiana
$68,470
$105,380
Colorado
$67,320
$101,420
Connecticut
$66,620
$103,150
Minnesota
$63,220
$101,480
Nevada
$62,400
$104,310
South Carolina
$61,250
$101,600
North Carolina
$59,500
$100,730
Oregon
$58,790
$105,250
Nebraska
$58,640
$103,150
Kentucky
$57,930
$100,930

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Drafters, All Others or Civil Engineerss?

Civil Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $63,520 for Drafters, All Others versus $100,840 for Civil Engineerss, a difference of $37K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Drafters, All Other or Civil Engineers?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Drafters, All Other or Civil Engineers?

Drafters, All Other typically requires bachelor's degree. Civil Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Drafters, All Others get paid the most?

New Jersey is the top-paying state for Drafters, All Others at $77,840/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Drafters, All Other vs. Civil Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New Jersey, Drafters, All Others earn $77,840 vs. $104,660 for Civil Engineerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Drafters, All Other salary breakdownView →Full Civil Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Drafters, All Others by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Civil Engineerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a drafters, all otherGuide →How to become a civil engineersGuide →