Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in North Dakota is $64,720/year ($31.12/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $93K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $72,809 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 23.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $65K get you in North Dakota?
About architectural and civil drafters
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What this looks like in North Dakota
Architectural and civil drafters pay in North Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $65K locally vs. $66K nationwide, a 2% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,034/month, 23.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, North Dakota
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $93K or more, a $45K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary by metro in North Dakota
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $68K | +5% | 60 |
| Fargo | $65K | +0% | 210 |
| Grand Forks | $61K | -6% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track architectural and civil drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and civil drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $65K, rent takes 23.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for architectural and civil drafters in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and civil drafters typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,846/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 36% 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 North Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $65K locally vs. $66K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for architectural and civil drafters?
North Dakota pays $65K median vs. the U.S. average of $66K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $73K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in North Dakota?
The median is $64,720 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,430, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $92,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,388/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 23.6% 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 North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (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 $72,809 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.