# Architectural and Civil Drafters

> Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architectural-and-civil-drafters
- SOC code: 17-3011.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $66,150 (10th percentile $46,260, 90th percentile $99,710)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.2%
- Openings a year: 9,100
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCA)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 76 |
| Investigative (I) | 54 |
| Artistic (A) | 58 |
| Social (S) | 9 |
| Enterprising (E) | 9 |
| Conventional (C) | 65 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 90/100)
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (importance 86/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 83/100)
- Getting Information (importance 83/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 82/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 81/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 77/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 76/100)
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (importance 74/100)
- Processing Information (importance 74/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Monitoring, Speaking, Writing, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving

## Knowledge

Design, Building and Construction, Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics, English Language, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service, Public Safety and Security, Administration and Management, Law and Government

## Also called

Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter), Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician), Architectural Designer, Architectural Drafter, Architectural Draftsman, Architectural Technician (Architectural Tech), Architectural Technologist, Architecture Designer, Architecture Drafter, Architecture Technician (Architecture Tech)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1513) (CIP 1513, 553 colleges)
- [Architectural Sciences and Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0409) (CIP 0409, 205 colleges)
- [Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1501) (CIP 1501, 99 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Washington-Seattle Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-washington-seattle-main-campus-3075) | Architectural Sciences and Technology | $84,716 | $103,414 | $15,323 |
| [Purdue University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/purdue-university-main-campus-2163) | Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $76,065 | $97,594 | $18,282 |
| [University of Massachusetts-Amherst UMASS Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-massachusetts-amherst-umass-main-campus-2950) | Architectural Sciences and Technology | $76,611 | $93,156 | $21,500 |
| [Western Michigan University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-michigan-university-3231) | Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $66,254 | $84,622 | $31,000 |
| [Pratt Institute-Main](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pratt-institute-main-2148) | Architectural Sciences and Technology | $63,453 | $84,447 | $27,500 |
| [University of Southern Mississippi](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-mississippi-3053) | Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $73,017 | $82,848 | $24,913 |
| [University of Southern California USC](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-california-usc-3050) | Architectural Sciences and Technology | $65,338 | $78,741 | $23,000 |
| [Trine University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/trine-university-2806) | Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $67,537 | $77,517 | $27,000 |

## Related careers

- [Mechanical Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-drafters): $71,550 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronics Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-drafters): $76,870 median pay
- [Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/civil-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $64,950 median pay
- [Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $74,510 median pay
- [Architectural and Engineering Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architectural-and-engineering-managers): $171,270 median pay
- [Civil Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/civil-engineers): $100,840 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.