Architectural and Civil Drafters pay range in Richmond
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,480 a year or less, while the top 10% make $90,630 or more. The middle half of architectural and civil drafters in Richmond earn between $54,180 and $73,610.
- $48K10th
- $54K25th
- $63KMedian
- $74K75th
- $91K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $66,890 | $5,574 | $32.16 |
| Median | $62,830 | $5,236 | $30.21 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $54,180 | $4,515 | $26.05 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $73,610 | $6,134 | $35.39 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Architectural and Civil Drafters pay in Richmond vs. Virginia and the U.S.
Architectural and civil drafters in Richmond earn about the same as the Virginia average ($67,510) and 5% less than the U.S. average ($70,740). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $66,150.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $66,890 | $62,830 | $48,480 | $90,630 | 380 |
| Virginia | $67,510 | $63,450 | $47,170 | $93,970 | 2,600 |
| United States | $70,740 | $66,150 | $46,260 | $99,710 | 103,700 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary after taxes in Richmond
On the average salary of $66,890, a single filer in Richmond takes home about $52,855 a year, or $4,405 a month and $2,033 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Richmond a good place for architectural and civil drafters? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Richmond area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.9), so the average $66,890 buys what about $68,354 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Richmond ($51,460). A typical home costs $397,705, or 5.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in other Virginia cities
Richmond ranks 1st of 7 Virginia metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Richmond$66,890
- Blacksburg$64,920
- Virginia Beach$64,920
- Charlottesville$63,040
- Roanoke$61,220
- Lynchburg$59,860
- Winchester$59,260
Highest-paying cities for architectural and civil drafters
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($93,870).
- San Jose, CA$93,870
- Lake Charles, LA$90,720
- San Francisco, CA$89,290
- Denver, CO$83,770
- Rochester, MN$83,220
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Richmond: questions
How much do architectural and civil drafters make an hour in Richmond?
$32.16 an hour on average, and $30.21 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level architectural and civil drafters salary in Richmond?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,480 a year and the 25th percentile is $54,180, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the architectural and civil drafters take-home pay in Richmond?
About $52,855 a year ($4,405 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $66,890.
Do architectural and civil drafters earn more in Richmond than elsewhere?
The average here is 5% less than the U.S. average for this job ($70,740).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 17-3011; area Richmond, VA (40060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.86, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.