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Average Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Architectural and Civil Drafters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area earn an impressive average annual salary of $80,280, significantly exceeding the national average of $68,890. This elevated compensation is likely driven by the region's robust economic activity and demand for skilled professionals in the construction and design sectors, which often command higher pay scales.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $80,280 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 15.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $103,640.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 1,710 Architectural and Civil Drafters and a Location Quotient of 0.77, the job market in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV indicates a slightly lower concentration compared to the national average. However, the presence of a substantial workforce suggests consistent demand and ongoing opportunities within this specialized field in the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$80,280

The average Architectural and Civil Drafters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns+16.5%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$38.6

Weekly

$1,544

Monthly

$6,690

Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary Distribution in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Salary progression for Architectural and Civil Drafters is strongly tied to experience. Entry-level positions typically start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior drafters with extensive project portfolios and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in compensation clearly signify the career progression and increased earning potential as one advances through junior, mid-level, and senior roles.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$55,640$26.8
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$60,210$28.9
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$77,050$37
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$100,350$48.2
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$103,640$49.8

Detailed Architectural and Civil Drafters Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$80,280

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$80,280

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $80,280 in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area aligns perfectly with the national Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the higher nominal salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it a financially stable location for Architectural and Civil Drafters without a significant penalty or bonus due to living expenses.

Job Market Context

1,710

Total Jobs

0.549

Per 1K Jobs

0.77

Location Quotient

Below Average

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 0.77x 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.

A Location Quotient of 0.77 suggests that Architectural and Civil Drafters are slightly less concentrated in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV region compared to the national average. This indicates a moderately competitive market where demand may be present but not overwhelmingly saturated, potentially offering good opportunities for skilled professionals seeking employment.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Architectural and Civil Drafters

CitySalaryDist.
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary$71,790↓ 11%35 mi
Winchester, VA-WV Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary$56,160↓ 30%64 mi

Comparing salaries near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Hiring Architectural and Civil Drafterss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Architectural and Civil Drafters make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median annual salary for a Architectural and Civil Drafters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $80,280. This typically ranges from $55,640 for entry-level positions to $103,640 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 16.5% higher than the national median of $68,890.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Architectural and Civil Drafters?

Yes, it is a lucrative place for Architectural and Civil Drafters.The average salary of $80,280 significantly surpasses the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, indicating strong earning potential.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Architectural and Civil Drafters?

The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

Some top paying nearby cities include Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($71,790) and Winchester, VA-WV.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

Architectural and Civil Drafters in this region earn approximately $11,390 more annually than the national average, reflecting higher local demand or cost factors.

What is the job concentration for this role in the area?

The Location Quotient of 0.77 indicates that Architectural and Civil Drafters are slightly less concentrated in this region compared to the national average, suggesting a balanced job market.

Does the cost of living impact the salary's value?

No, the local cost of living index is 100, which is the national average. Therefore, the higher salary of $80,280 holds its purchasing power effectively.

How many Architectural and Civil Drafters work in this area?

There are approximately 1,710 Architectural and Civil Drafters employed within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,710 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 0.549 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Semantic Salary Analysis for Architectural and Civil Drafters • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV