Architectural and Civil Drafters: 103,700 jobs, median pay $66,150

103,700

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$66,150

Median pay a year

Middle half: $55,650–$80,870

9,100

Annual openings

10-year change: +5.2%

299

LCA filings, last 4 quarters

+20.6% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 290 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $77,170 · LCA filings 576,710$77,17057

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $63,120 · LCA filings 44,130$63,1204

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $76,630 · LCA filings 403,890$76,63040

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $66,890 · LCA filings 63,360$66,8906

Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $74,180 · LCA filings 162,170$74,18016

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $79,310 · LCA filings 282,150$79,31028

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $79,860 · LCA filings 32,120$79,8603

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $67,020 · LCA filings 72,110$67,0207

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $81,130 · LCA filings 141,750$81,13014

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $61,720 · LCA filings 31,740$61,7203

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Bridgeport–Stamford–Danbury, CTEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$84,4401100

Rochester, MNEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$83,780600

Waterbury–Shelton, CTEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$83,630400

San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 610 · LCA filings 7$82,8206107

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 1,750 · LCA filings 14$81,1301,75014

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 39 · Employment 6,71057396,710

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 32 · Employment 3,89040323,890

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 14 · Employment 2,15028142,150

Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployers with LCA filings 9 · Employment 2,1701692,170

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 13 · Employment 1,75014131,750

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $66,518 · Level III $79,123 · Level IV $91,749$53,893$66,518$79,123$91,749

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $57,949 · Level III $69,576 · Level IV $81,203$46,322$57,949$69,576$81,203

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $67,496 · Level III $79,061 · Level IV $90,646$55,910$67,496$79,061$90,646

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $58,989 · Level III $69,784 · Level IV $80,579$48,194$58,989$69,784$80,579

Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $65,915 · Level III $79,456 · Level IV $92,997$52,374$65,915$79,456$92,997

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $69,618 · Level III $78,270 · Level IV $86,944$60,944$69,618$78,270$86,944

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $72,176 · Level III $83,658 · Level IV $95,118$60,715$72,176$83,658$95,118

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $62,754 · Level III $72,280 · Level IV $81,786$53,248$62,754$72,280$81,786

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $76,128 · Level III $89,149 · Level IV $102,190$63,086$76,128$89,149$102,190

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $52,978 · Level III $63,440 · Level IV $73,882$42,536$52,978$63,440$73,882

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/TechniciansCIP 15.13Varies by program518Varies by program

Architectural Engineering Technologies/TechniciansCIP 15.01STEM OPT · up to 36 months68STEM OPT · up to 36 months

Architectural Sciences and TechnologyCIP 04.09Varies by program2,177Varies by program

See Architectural and Civil Drafters in every metro area

All 290 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Architecture & Engineering

Industrial Engineers Civil Engineers Mechanical Engineers Electrical Engineers Engineers, All Other Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians Architects, except Landscape and Naval Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology