Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Modesto, CA
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in Modesto, CA is $61,410/year ($29.52/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.11), that's roughly $58,986 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,758/month — about 43.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $61K get you in Modesto?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Modesto’s Regional Price Parity (104.11). 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, Modesto, CA
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $53K 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 Modesto numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in Modesto, CA?
The median is $61,410 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,720, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $98,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Modesto?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,114/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,758/month, which eats 42.7% 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 Modesto?
Modesto has a Regional Price Parity of 104.11 (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 $58,986 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.