Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in Connecticut is $76,290/year ($36.68/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $91K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.88), that's roughly $74,154 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,679/month, about 33.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Connecticut. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $76K get you in Connecticut?
About architectural and civil drafters
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What this looks like in Connecticut
Connecticut sits well above the national pay line for architectural and civil drafters, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $66K. Rent runs $1,679/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.88) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Connecticut
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K. Top earners bring in $91K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary by metro in Connecticut
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | $84K | +11% | 110 |
| Waterbury-Shelton | $84K | +10% | 40 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | $77K | +1% | 210 |
| New Haven | $65K | -14% | 110 |
Compare to other states
Track architectural and civil drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Connecticut numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and civil drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Connecticut?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $76K, rent takes 34.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,679/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 Connecticut?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and civil drafters typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,073/month. At HUD’s $1,679/month FMR, rent would take 55% 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 Connecticut?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $76K here vs. $66K nationally.
How does Connecticut compare to the national average for architectural and civil drafters?
Connecticut pays $76K median vs. the U.S. average of $66K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $74K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in Connecticut?
The median is $76,290 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,220, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $90,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Connecticut?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,859/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,679/month, which eats 34.6% 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 Connecticut?
Connecticut has a Regional Price Parity of 102.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median architectural and civil drafters salary is worth about $74,154 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.