Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in Arkansas is $62,420/year ($30.01/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.64), which stretches that salary to about $71,223 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,021/month, or 24.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arkansas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $62K get you in Arkansas?
About architectural and civil drafters
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What this looks like in Arkansas
Architectural and civil drafters pay in Arkansas tracks closely to the national median, $62K locally vs. $66K nationwide, a 6% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,021/month, 24.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.64 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arkansas
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K. Top earners bring in $81K or more, a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary by metro in Arkansas
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $63K | +1% | 500 |
| Fort Smith | $60K | -4% | 50 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $60K | -4% | 190 |
Compare to other states
Track architectural and civil drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arkansas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and civil drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arkansas?
Yes — at the median salary of $62K, rent takes 24.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,021/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for architectural and civil drafters in Arkansas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and civil drafters typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,993/month. At HUD’s $1,021/month FMR, rent would take 34% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is architectural and civil drafter a high-paying job in Arkansas?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $62K locally vs. $66K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Arkansas compare to the national average for architectural and civil drafters?
Arkansas pays $62K median vs. the U.S. average of $66K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.64), the purchasing-power equivalent is $71K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in Arkansas?
The median is $62,420 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,880, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $81,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Arkansas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,161/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,021/month, which eats 24.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a architectural and civil drafters salary go in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a Regional Price Parity of 87.64 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median architectural and civil drafters salary is worth about $71,223 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do architectural and civil drafters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.