Money · 1 of 5
What drafters make
Median
$66,150
Bottom tenth
$46,260
Top tenth
$99,710
The national median is $66,150 a year, the bottom tenth earn $46,260 or less and the top tenth $99,710 or more, in the 2025 federal wage survey. These figures are for architectural and civil drafters, which is the branch that draws buildings, roads, bridges and site plans. Mechanical drafters (median $71,550) and electrical and electronics drafters (median $76,870) are counted separately and are paid a little more.