Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
The median pay for a architectural and civil drafters in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $67,950/year ($32.67/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.18), that's roughly $65,856 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,950/month — about 44% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $68K get you in Trenton-Princeton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Trenton-Princeton’s Regional Price Parity (103.18). 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, Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Entry-level architectural and civil drafters (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $49K 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 |
| 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 Trenton-Princeton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do architectural and civil drafters make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median is $67,950 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,810, and experienced architectural and civil drafters can clear $96,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in Trenton-Princeton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,494/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,950/month, which eats 43.4% 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 Trenton-Princeton?
Trenton-Princeton has a Regional Price Parity of 103.18 (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 $65,856 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.