Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in New Hampshire is $65,300/year ($31.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $91K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.66), so that salary is closer to $61,802 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,528/month, about 33.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New Hampshire. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $65K get you in New Hampshire?
About architectural and civil drafters
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What this looks like in New Hampshire
Architectural and civil drafters pay in New Hampshire tracks closely to the national median, $65K locally vs. $66K nationwide, a 1% difference. Rent runs $1,528/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 105.66), so groceries and services cost more too. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Hampshire
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $91K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary by metro in New Hampshire
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester-Nashua | $64K | -2% | 110 |
Compare to other states
Track architectural and civil drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Hampshire numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and civil drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Hampshire?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $65K, rent takes 33.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,528/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 New Hampshire?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and civil drafters typically earn — is $53K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,164/month. At HUD’s $1,528/month FMR, rent would take 48% 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 New Hampshire?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $65K locally vs. $66K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does New Hampshire compare to the national average for architectural and civil drafters?
New Hampshire pays $65K median vs. the U.S. average of $66K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 105.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $62K — below the national median.
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in New Hampshire?
The median is $65,300 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,740, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $90,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in New Hampshire?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,527/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,528/month, which eats 33.8% 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 New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has a Regional Price Parity of 105.66 (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 $61,802 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.