Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in Georgia is $74,940/year ($36.03/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $109K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.89), which stretches that salary to about $81,554 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,434/month, or 29.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Georgia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $75K get you in Georgia?
About architectural and civil drafters
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What this looks like in Georgia
Georgia sits well above the national pay line for architectural and civil drafters, local pay runs about 13% higher than the U.S. median of $66K. Rent runs $1,434/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% 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, Georgia
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K. Top earners bring in $109K or more, a $62K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary by metro in Georgia
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton | $79K | +6% | 40 |
| Savannah | $74K | -1% | 110 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $74K | -1% | 2,170 |
| Gainesville | $72K | -4% | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $69K | -7% | 130 |
| Macon-Bibb County | $61K | -18% | 70 |
| Athens-Clarke County | $61K | -19% | 50 |
| Valdosta | $58K | -23% | 40 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons | $57K | -24% | 40 |
| Columbus | $56K | -25% | 60 |
| Albany | $53K | -29% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
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Track architectural and civil drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Georgia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and civil drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Georgia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $75K, rent takes 30% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,434/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/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 Georgia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and civil drafters typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,792/month. At HUD’s $1,434/month FMR, rent would take 51% 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 Georgia?
Local pay is 13% above the national median — $75K here vs. $66K nationally.
How does Georgia compare to the national average for architectural and civil drafters?
Georgia pays $75K median vs. the U.S. average of $66K — that’s +13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $82K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in Georgia?
The median is $74,940 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,530, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $108,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Georgia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,787/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,434/month, which eats 30% 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 Georgia?
Georgia has a Regional Price Parity of 91.89 (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 $81,554 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.