CDCareer Decision

Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in WA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Architectural and Civil Drafters in WA have a median annual salary of $73,000, with 2,530 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $55,990 at the 10th percentile to $102,180 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

$73,000

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$35.10

Employment

2,530

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$55,990
10th
$61,040
25th
$73,000
Median
$83,920
75th
$102,180
90th

Local compared with national

WA

$73,000

Median annual · 2025

United States

$66,150

Median annual · 2025

The WA median is 10.4% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $6,850).

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 WA