SOC 17-3011 · South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro

Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in South Bend, IN

The average salary for architectural and civil drafters in South Bend, Indiana is $56,810 a year ($27.31 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $52,790: half of the 80 people in this job in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 20% less than the U.S. average for this job ($70,740).

$56,810average per year

$27.31 / hourMedian $52,790Take-home ≈ $45,176

  • $42K10th
  • $48K25th
  • $53KMedian
  • $61K75th
  • $75K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

80people in this job
-20%vs U.S. average
#8 of 8Indiana metros
93cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Architectural and Civil Drafters pay range in South Bend

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $42,170 a year or less, while the top 10% make $74,920 or more. The middle half of architectural and civil drafters in South Bend earn between $48,100 and $61,460.

  • $42K10th
  • $48K25th
  • $53KMedian
  • $61K75th
  • $75K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$56,810$4,734$27.31
Median$52,790$4,399$25.38
Entry level (25th percentile)$48,100$4,008$23.12
Experienced (75th percentile)$61,460$5,122$29.55

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Architectural and Civil Drafters pay in South Bend vs. Indiana and the U.S.

Architectural and civil drafters in South Bend earn 12% less than the Indiana average ($64,350) and 20% less than the U.S. average ($70,740). At the median the gap is -20% against the U.S. median of $66,150.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
South Bend$56,810$52,790$42,170$74,92080
Indiana$64,350$60,000$43,430$93,5602,240
United States$70,740$66,150$46,260$99,710103,700

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Architectural and Civil Drafters salary after taxes in South Bend

On the average salary of $56,810, a single filer in South Bend takes home about $45,176 a year, or $3,765 a month and $1,738 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.

The South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:

StatePer yearPer month
Working in MI$45,659$3,805
Working in IN$45,176$3,765

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).

Indiana paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is South Bend a good place for architectural and civil drafters? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the South Bend area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.9), so the average $56,810 buys what about $61,179 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in South Bend ($46,540). A typical home costs $238,866, or 4.2 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $56,810 is worth in another city

Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in other Indiana cities

South Bend ranks 8th of 8 Indiana metro areas for this job; Indianapolis pays the most ($68,210).

All Architectural and Civil Drafters salaries in Indiana

Highest-paying cities for architectural and civil drafters

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($93,870).

Architectural and Civil Drafters salary by city

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Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in South Bend: questions

How much do architectural and civil drafters make an hour in South Bend?

$27.31 an hour on average, and $25.38 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level architectural and civil drafters salary in South Bend?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $42,170 a year and the 25th percentile is $48,100, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the architectural and civil drafters take-home pay in South Bend?

About $45,176 a year ($3,765 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $56,810. Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).

Do architectural and civil drafters earn more in South Bend than elsewhere?

The average here is 20% less than the U.S. average for this job ($70,740).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 17-3011; area South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI (43780). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.9%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.88, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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