Architects, Except Landscape and Naval vs Architectural and Civil Drafters
Side-by-side salary and career comparison using Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
$99,280
median annual salary
Architectural and Civil Drafters
$66,150
median annual salary
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval earns $33,130 more per year (50% higher)
This side-by-side compares Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (SOC 17-1011) against Architectural and Civil Drafters (SOC 17-3011) using BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from May 2025 plus BLS Employment Projections covering 2024–2034. The national median pay gap is $33,130/year (50%), favoring Architects, Except Landscape and Naval. Total U.S. employment sits at 106,770 for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval and 103,700 for Architectural and Civil Drafters, which matters when judging how competitive the market is on either side.
Career trajectory diverges as well: BLS projects Architects, Except Landscape and Naval employment to change +3.9% through 2033 versus +4.1% for Architectural and Civil Drafters, a difference of 0.2 percentage points. Annual openings (growth + replacement combined) are projected at 7.8 for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval against 10 for Architectural and Civil Drafters. Entry-level education also differs - Architects, Except Landscape and Naval typically requires Bachelor's degree while Architectural and Civil Drafters typically requires Associate's degree - which shapes both time-to-entry and starting salary.
Salary comparisons mask enormous state-level variation. This page's state-by-state table shows where each occupation pays best relative to the other - 52 states have reported wage data for both occupations, and the top-paying metros can exceed the national median by 20-40%. When weighing these two careers, look past the headline median: check the 10th-to-90th percentile spread to understand ceiling and floor, compare the state where you actually want to live, factor in the educational and experience investment required to enter, and keep in mind that BLS wage data excludes employer benefits, stock options, tips, and bonuses which can shift total compensation by 20-40%. Both sides of this comparison link through to full national profiles where you can run those deeper checks before making a career decision.
Salary & Career Comparison
| Metric | Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | Architectural and Civil Drafters |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $99,280 | $66,150 |
| Median Hourly | $47.73/hr | $31.80/hr |
| Mean Salary | $106,260 | $70,740 |
| 10th Percentile | $62,300 | $46,260 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,420 | $99,710 |
| Total Employment | 106,770 | 103,700 |
| Job Growth (2024–2034) | +3.9% | +4.1% |
| Annual Openings | 7,800 | 10,000 |
| Education | Bachelor's degree | Associate's degree |
| Work Experience | None | None |
Salary by State
States where both occupations have reported wage data, sorted by salary difference.
| State | Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | Architectural and Civil Drafters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $120,580 | $63,730 | +$56,850 |
| South Dakota | $102,500 | $52,470 | +$50,030 |
| Massachusetts | $117,330 | $76,990 | +$40,340 |
| Maryland | $114,550 | $75,180 | +$39,370 |
| Alabama | $95,990 | $57,100 | +$38,890 |
| Hawaii | $102,340 | $63,510 | +$38,830 |
| Oklahoma | $100,350 | $62,140 | +$38,210 |
| Kentucky | $97,680 | $60,120 | +$37,560 |
| Arizona | $102,000 | $64,750 | +$37,250 |
| South Carolina | $101,550 | $64,680 | +$36,870 |
| New Jersey | $99,800 | $62,960 | +$36,840 |
| Missouri | $98,490 | $61,940 | +$36,550 |
| Indiana | $96,060 | $60,000 | +$36,060 |
| New Hampshire | $101,100 | $65,300 | +$35,800 |
| Wisconsin | $98,510 | $62,930 | +$35,580 |
| Nevada | $101,570 | $67,000 | +$34,570 |
| Virginia | $97,680 | $63,450 | +$34,230 |
| Florida | $96,240 | $62,640 | +$33,600 |
| Ohio | $94,960 | $61,450 | +$33,510 |
| Rhode Island | $105,160 | $71,700 | +$33,460 |
Showing top 20 of 52 states.
Also Compare
View Full Details
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025 release). Salary figures are annual medians and percentile bands published by BLS.
Common Questions
Which pays more, Architects, Except Landscape and Naval or Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Which has better job outlook?
Where does this data come from?
Last updated: May 2025 (BLS OEWS annual release). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.