Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in Tennessee is $69,220/year ($33.28/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $77,100 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 25.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $69K get you in Tennessee?
About architectural and civil drafters
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Architectural and civil drafters pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $69K locally vs. $66K nationwide, a 5% difference. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $69K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $53K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary by metro in Tennessee
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $75K | +8% | 440 |
| Knoxville | $72K | +4% | 250 |
| Memphis | $65K | -6% | 210 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $63K | -10% | 40 |
| Clarksville | $63K | -10% | 30 |
| Johnson City | $61K | -13% | 40 |
| Chattanooga | $59K | -15% | 190 |
Compare to other states
Track architectural and civil drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and civil drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $69K, rent takes 25.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for architectural and civil drafters in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and civil drafters typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,703/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 45% 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 Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $69K locally vs. $66K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for architectural and civil drafters?
Tennessee pays $69K median vs. the U.S. average of $66K — that’s +5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $77K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in Tennessee?
The median is $69,220 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,050, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $98,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $69K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,757/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 25.5% 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (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 $77,100 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.