Best degree programs for Architectural and Civil Drafters, ranked by enrollment
9 college programs and 605 schools train Architectural and Civil Drafters. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $66,150 median wage, 103,700 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
9 college programs at 605 schools train architectural and civil drafters, graduating 21,124 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology. The job pays a median of $66,150 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About 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.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
9 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 04.0902 | 9,098 | 43.1% | 124 | $48,514 | $27,000 |
| 2 | CIP 15.1301 | 4,212 | 19.9% | 217 | $44,946 | $12,992 |
| 3 | CIP 15.1302 | 3,206 | 15.2% | 179 | $44,946 | $12,992 |
| 4 | CIP 15.1303 | 1,734 | 8.2% | 106 | $44,946 | $12,992 |
| 5 | CIP 15.0101 | 1,494 | 7.1% | 72 | $50,625 | $21,717 |
| 6 | Architectural Technology/Technicianmain feeder CIP 04.0901 | 1,217 | 5.8% | 63 | $48,514 | $27,000 |
| 7 | CIP 15.1304 | 87 | 0.4% | 12 | $44,946 | $12,992 |
| 8 | CIP 15.1307 | 62 | 0.3% | 13 | $44,946 | $12,992 |
| 9 | Architectural Sciences and Technology, Othermain feeder CIP 04.0999 | 14 | 0.1% | 1 | $48,514 | $27,000 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
What architectural and civil drafters earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $76,520 | 11,400 | 0.94× | 73 | 2,621 |
| Texas | $63,320 | 11,710 | 1.25× | 39 | 1,623 |
| New York | $76,260 | 7,380 | 1.14× | 33 | 1,591 |
| Florida | $62,640 | 7,530 | 1.14× | 31 | 1,491 |
| Georgia | $74,940 | 3,970 | 1.22× | 15 | 1,002 |
| Illinois | $58,240 | 1,310 | 0.32× | 27 | 892 |
| Massachusetts | $76,990 | 2,660 | 1.10× | 13 | 883 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,800 | 5,370 | 1.33× | 20 | 755 |
| Indiana | $60,000 | 2,240 | 1.05× | 9 | 628 |
| Michigan | $58,330 | 2,100 | 0.72× | 24 | 609 |
| North Carolina | $62,750 | 2,680 | 0.81× | 18 | 593 |
| Washington | $73,000 | 2,530 | 1.07× | 12 | 515 |
| Ohio | $61,450 | 2,860 | 0.77× | 17 | 470 |
| Virginia | $63,450 | 2,600 | 0.95× | 16 | 465 |
| Colorado | $76,370 | 3,570 | 1.86× | 8 | 437 |
| Arizona | $64,750 | 2,120 | 0.98× | 13 | 414 |
| Minnesota | $70,680 | 1,930 | 0.98× | 15 | 414 |
| Louisiana | $61,010 | 1,040 | 0.80× | 13 | 411 |
| Kansas | $62,220 | 630 | 0.65× | 8 | 377 |
| Kentucky | $60,120 | 870 | 0.65× | 10 | 359 |
| Utah | $64,290 | 1,820 | 1.58× | 10 | 352 |
| Maryland | $75,180 | 910 | 0.49× | 12 | 349 |
| Missouri | $61,940 | 2,270 | 1.16× | 14 | 345 |
| Oregon | $74,000 | 1,490 | 1.13× | 9 | 285 |
| Alabama | $57,100 | 1,010 | 0.71× | 12 | 263 |
| Oklahoma | $62,140 | 1,260 | 1.11× | 15 | 251 |
| Mississippi | $59,920 | 330 | 0.42× | 11 | 234 |
| Tennessee | $69,220 | 1,310 | 0.60× | 17 | 234 |
| Connecticutmoderate | $76,290 | 810 | 0.72× | 4 | 212 |
| Rhode Islandmoderate | $71,700 | 240 | 0.71× | 3 | 212 |
| New Jersey | $62,960 | 2,280 | 0.80× | 6 | 206 |
| South Carolina | $64,680 | 1,170 | 0.76× | 9 | 199 |
| Nebraska | $61,550 | 850 | 1.24× | 5 | 198 |
| Arkansas | $62,420 | 980 | 1.12× | 7 | 170 |
| Idaho | $61,840 | 1,010 | 1.77× | 6 | 157 |
| Wisconsin | $62,930 | 2,200 | 1.12× | 9 | 154 |
| Iowamoderate | $64,220 | 980 | 0.95× | 4 | 145 |
| Montanalimited | $65,750 | 600 | 1.75× | 2 | 109 |
| New Mexico | $50,230 | 690 | 1.18× | 6 | 92 |
| District of Columbialimited | $97,880 | 370 | 0.80× | 2 | 84 |
| Nevadamoderate | $67,000 | 1,100 | 1.06× | 3 | 81 |
| South Dakotamoderate | $52,470 | 460 | 1.52× | 3 | 66 |
| Hawaiilimited | $63,510 | 610 | 1.46× | 2 | 25 |
| Mainemoderate | $66,200 | 440 | 1.02× | 3 | 23 |
| Alaskamoderate | — | 220 | 1.02× | 3 | 22 |
| Delawarelimited | $73,040 | 290 | 0.90× | 1 | 22 |
| West Virginialimited | $65,640 | 330 | 0.70× | 1 | 14 |
| Wyominglimited | $63,730 | 200 | 1.06× | 2 | 14 |
| North Dakotalimited | $64,720 | 380 | 1.34× | 1 | 10 |
| New Hampshirelimited | $65,300 | 400 | 0.88× | 2 | 7 |
| Vermontlimited | $61,000 | 230 | 1.12× | 1 | 5 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
- Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
- Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
- Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
- Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
- Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
- Supervise and train other technologists, technicians, and drafters.
- Determine the order of work and method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
Skills
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Active Learning3.4
- Writing3.4
- Mathematics3.3
- Monitoring3.3
- Active Listening3.3
- Speaking3.1
Knowledge areas
- Design4.3
- Building and Construction4.3
- Engineering and Technology4.2
- English Language3.8
- Computers and Electronics3.8
- Mathematics3.6
Abilities
- Written Expression3.6
- Written Comprehension3.6
- Near Vision3.6
- Oral Comprehension3.6
- Visualization3.6
- Deductive Reasoning3.5
Core activities
- Working with Computers4.8
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment4.6
- Getting Information4.4
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards4.3
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.0
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates3.9
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Architectural
Job zone 3 of 5 · SVP 6.0 to < 7.0- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 9 majors mapped to Architectural and Civil Drafters9 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 04.0901Architectural Technology/Technician
- 04.0902Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
- 04.0999Architectural Sciences and Technology, Other
- 15.0101Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians
- 15.1301Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General
- 15.1302CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician
- 15.1303Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD
- 15.1304Civil Drafting and Civil Engineering CAD/CADD
- 15.13073-D Modeling and Design Technology/Technician
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become an Architectural?+
Associate's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology, which awarded 9,098 degrees in 2024-25, 43.1% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming an Architectural?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 9 programs to this occupation. The largest are Architectural Sciences and Technology, Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians. Together they graduate about 21,124 people a year.
How much do architectural and civil drafters earn?+
The median is $66,150 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $46,260 at the 10th percentile to $99,710 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for architectural and civil drafters growing?+
BLS projects a +4.1% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 10,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
605 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 9 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do architectural and civil drafters work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Draftsman, Civil Drafter, Architectural Drafter, Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer) among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 17-3011.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card