Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in LA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Architectural and Civil Drafters in LA have a median annual salary of $61,010, with 1,040 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $43,700 at the 10th percentile to $107,130 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$61,010

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$29.33

Employment

1,040

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$43,700
10th
$48,090
25th
$61,010
Median
$81,560
75th
$107,130
90th

Local compared with national

LA

$61,010

Median annual · 2025

United States

$66,150

Median annual · 2025

The LA median is 7.8% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $5,140).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.8
  2. 2.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.6
  3. 3.Active ListeningImportance 3.5
  4. 4.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.4
  5. 5.WritingImportance 3.3
  6. 6.SpeakingImportance 3.3
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 3.3
  8. 8.CoordinationImportance 3.3
  9. 9.MathematicsImportance 3.1
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 3.1
  11. 11.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.1
  12. 12.Time ManagementImportance 3.1

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • OpenRoads Designer
  • 100 Plus Hatch Pattern Library
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe LiveMotion
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Alias Wavefront Design Studio
  • Animation software
  • ARCOM Masterspec
  • Autodesk 3d Studio Viz
  • Autodesk 3ds Max
  • Autodesk Architectural Desktop

Common tasks

  • Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments as necessary.
  • Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
  • Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
  • Draw rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data.
  • Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
  • Obtain and assemble data to complete architectural designs, visiting job sites to compile measurements as necessary.
  • Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
  • Represent architect or engineer on construction site, ensuring builder compliance with design specifications and advising on design corrections, under supervision.
  • Review rough sketches, drawings, specifications, and other engineering data to ensure that they conform to design concepts.
  • Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in other locations

Other occupations in LA