Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in Colorado is $76,370/year ($36.72/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $108K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $76K get you in Colorado?
About architectural and civil drafters
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K. Top earners bring in $108K or more, a $59K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary by metro in Colorado
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $80K | +5% | 2,120 |
| Boulder | $75K | -2% | 190 |
| Greeley | $68K | -11% | 80 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $64K | -16% | 350 |
| Colorado Springs | $62K | -19% | 360 |
| Grand Junction | $58K | -24% | 90 |
| Pueblo | $48K | -37% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track architectural and civil drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and civil drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $76K, rent takes 41.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,500/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for architectural and civil drafters in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and civil drafters typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,939/month.
Is architectural and civil drafter a high-paying job in Colorado?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $76K here vs. $66K nationally.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for architectural and civil drafters?
Colorado pays $76K median vs. the U.S. average of $66K — that’s +15%.
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in Colorado?
The median is $76,370 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,980, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $107,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,896/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 41.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a architectural and civil drafters salary go in Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median architectural and civil drafters salary is worth about $76,370 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.