Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Helena, MT
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in Helena, MT is $74,950/year ($36.04/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $86K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.67), that's roughly $78,342 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,404/month, or 28.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $75K get you in Helena?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Helena’s Regional Price Parity (95.67). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About architectural and civil drafters
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Helena, MT
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K. Top earners bring in $86K or more, a $33K 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 |
| Montana | $68K | +6% | 540 |
| North Dakota | $68K | +6% | 320 |
| Oregon | $67K | +5% | 1,440 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +4% | 2,440 |
| Connecticut | $67K | +4% | 740 |
| Rhode Island | $67K | +4% | 240 |
| Georgia | $65K | +1% | 3,480 |
| Washington | $65K | +1% | 1,910 |
| Tennessee | $65K | +1% | 1,410 |
| Hawaii | $64K | -0% | 640 |
| Virginia | $64K | -0% | 2,320 |
| West Virginia | $64K | -1% | 330 |
| Iowa | $64K | -1% | 900 |
| North Carolina | $64K | -1% | 3,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $63K | -1% | 5,230 |
| Oklahoma | $63K | -2% | 1,530 |
| South Carolina | $63K | -2% | 1,610 |
| Wyoming | $62K | -3% | 190 |
| Utah | $62K | -3% | 1,600 |
| Missouri | $62K | -3% | 2,420 |
| Wisconsin | $62K | -3% | 2,060 |
| Delaware | $62K | -3% | 390 |
| New Hampshire | $62K | -3% | 400 |
| Texas | $62K | -4% | 13,480 |
| Arizona | $61K | -4% | 2,600 |
| Florida | $61K | -5% | 8,140 |
| Kansas | $61K | -5% | 660 |
| Indiana | $61K | -5% | 1,700 |
| Ohio | $61K | -6% | 3,260 |
| Vermont | $60K | -6% | 280 |
| Arkansas | $60K | -6% | 820 |
| Nebraska | $60K | -6% | 770 |
| New Mexico | $59K | -8% | 340 |
| Idaho | $59K | -9% | 1,110 |
| Michigan | $58K | -10% | 2,120 |
| Mississippi | $58K | -10% | 380 |
| New Jersey | $57K | -11% | 1,990 |
| Illinois | $57K | -12% | 1,760 |
| Alabama | $56K | -13% | 1,350 |
| Kentucky | $54K | -16% | 1,220 |
| South Dakota | $53K | -17% | 440 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track architectural and civil drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Helena numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in Helena, MT?
The median is $74,950 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,940, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $86,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Helena?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,817/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,404/month, which eats 29.1% 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 Helena?
Helena has a Regional Price Parity of 95.67 (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 $78,342 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.