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Average Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY area earn an average annual salary of $69,660. This figure is slightly above the national average of $68,890, suggesting a competitive market that values these specialized skills. Local economic factors and demand within the construction and engineering sectors likely contribute to this favorable compensation.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $69,660 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 9.8% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $99,610.
  • Outlook: The Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan area supports a workforce of 260 Architectural and Civil Drafters. With a Location Quotient of 0.83, the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, indicating a stable but not overly saturated market. The presence of 0.592 jobs per 1,000 workers suggests consistent opportunities for skilled drafters within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$69,660

The average Architectural and Civil Drafters in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY earns+1.1%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$33.5

Weekly

$1,340

Monthly

$5,805

Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary Distribution in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Career progression for Architectural and Civil Drafters is strongly tied to experience. Entry-level positions typically offer salaries at the lower end of the spectrum, while senior drafters with extensive project portfolios and specialized expertise can command significantly higher compensation. The percentile gaps in salary distribution highlight the substantial earning potential as one advances from junior to lead or principal drafter roles.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$46,940$22.6
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$52,245$25.1
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$63,900$30.7
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$87,075$41.9
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$99,610$47.9

Detailed Architectural and Civil Drafters Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$69,660

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$69,660

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $69,660 in Albany-Schenectady-Troy aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the purchasing power of a drafter's salary in this region is equivalent to the national standard, making it a financially neutral location for relocation from a cost-of-living perspective.

Job Market Context

260

Total Jobs

0.592

Per 1K Jobs

0.83

Location Quotient

Below Average

Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY has 0.83x the national average concentration of Architectural and Civil Drafters jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

With a Location Quotient of 0.83, the Albany-Schenectady-Troy area has a slightly lower concentration of Architectural and Civil Drafters compared to the national average. This suggests that while the demand is present, the market is not as intensely competitive as in some other regions, potentially offering a good balance for job seekers looking for opportunities without overwhelming saturation.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Architectural and Civil Drafters

Comparing salaries near Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Hiring Architectural and Civil Drafterss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Architectural and Civil Drafters make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?

The median annual salary for a Architectural and Civil Drafters in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is $69,660. This typically ranges from $46,940 for entry-level positions to $99,610 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is 1.1% higher than the national median of $68,890.

Is Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY a lucrative place for Architectural and Civil Drafters?

Yes, it offers competitive compensation.The average salary of $69,660 is slightly above the national average, and the cost of living is at the national average, providing good purchasing power.

Is Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY a good place to live for Architectural and Civil Drafters?

The Cost of Living Index in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?

Some top paying nearby cities include Pittsfield, MA ($65,410) and Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area.

What is the average salary for an Architectural and Civil Drafter in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?

The average annual salary for an Architectural and Civil Drafter in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is $69,660.

How does the Albany-Schenectady-Troy salary compare to the national average?

The average salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy ($69,660) is slightly higher than the national average ($68,890).

What is the Cost of Living Index in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?

The Cost of Living Index in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is 100, which is equivalent to the national average.

How concentrated is the job market for Architectural and Civil Drafters in this area?

The job market concentration, measured by the Location Quotient of 0.83, is slightly below the national average, indicating a stable but not overly saturated job market.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 260 employees in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY area with a job density of 0.592 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.