Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $77,270/year ($37.15/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $120K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $66,837 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 71.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $77K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About architectural and civil drafters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K.Top earners bring in $120K or more - a $57K 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 |
| North Dakota | $68K | +6% | 320 |
| Montana | $68K | +6% | 540 |
| Oregon | $67K | +5% | 1,440 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +4% | 2,440 |
| Connecticut | $67K | +4% | 740 |
| Rhode Island | $67K | +4% | 240 |
Track architectural and civil drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $77,270 a year - that works out to about $37.15 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,490, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $119,790. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,952/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 72.8% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (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 $66,837 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.