Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Baton Rouge, LA
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in Baton Rouge, LA is $78,990/year ($37.98/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.78), which stretches that salary to about $87,013 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,204/month, or 23.2% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $79K get you in Baton Rouge?
About architectural and civil drafters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Baton Rouge, LA
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K.Top earners bring in $141K or more - a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Civil Drafters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $88K | +38% | 540 |
| Alaska | $86K | +33% | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $76K | +18% | 2,730 |
| New York | $75K | +16% | 8,010 |
| California | $74K | +16% | 12,950 |
| Louisiana | $73K | +13% | 1,180 |
| Maryland | $72K | +12% | 1,030 |
| Nevada | $71K | +11% | 1,310 |
| Maine | $71K | +10% | 690 |
| North Dakota | $68K | +6% | 320 |
| Montana | $68K | +6% | 540 |
| Oregon | $67K | +5% | 1,440 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +4% | 2,440 |
| Connecticut | $67K | +4% | 740 |
| Rhode Island | $67K | +4% | 240 |
Track architectural and civil drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Baton Rouge numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median is $78,990 a year - that works out to about $37.98 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,900, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $140,770. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Baton Rouge?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,098/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,204/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 23.6% 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 Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge has a Regional Price Parity of 90.78 (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 $87,013 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.