Architectural and Civil Drafters pay range in Traverse City
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $40,600 a year or less, while the top 10% make $75,600 or more. The middle half of architectural and civil drafters in Traverse City earn between $45,530 and $62,200.
- $41K10th
- $46K25th
- $52KMedian
- $62K75th
- $76K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $55,160 | $4,597 | $26.52 |
| Median | $52,050 | $4,338 | $25.02 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $45,530 | $3,794 | $21.89 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $62,200 | $5,183 | $29.90 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Architectural and Civil Drafters pay in Traverse City vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Architectural and civil drafters in Traverse City earn 11% less than the Michigan average ($62,210) and 22% less than the U.S. average ($70,740). At the median the gap is -21% against the U.S. median of $66,150.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City | $55,160 | $52,050 | $40,600 | $75,600 | 50 |
| Michigan | $62,210 | $58,330 | $40,390 | $90,750 | 2,100 |
| United States | $70,740 | $66,150 | $46,260 | $99,710 | 103,700 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary after taxes in Traverse City
On the average salary of $55,160, a single filer in Traverse City takes home about $44,403 a year, or $3,700 a month and $1,708 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Traverse City a good place for architectural and civil drafters? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Traverse City area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.4), so the average $55,160 buys what about $59,076 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Traverse City ($47,470). A typical home costs $421,806, or 7.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in other Michigan cities
Traverse City ranks 7th of 8 Michigan metro areas for this job; Kalamazoo pays the most ($69,690).
Highest-paying cities for architectural and civil drafters
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($93,870).
- San Jose, CA$93,870
- Lake Charles, LA$90,720
- San Francisco, CA$89,290
- Denver, CO$83,770
- Rochester, MN$83,220
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Traverse City: questions
How much do architectural and civil drafters make an hour in Traverse City?
$26.52 an hour on average, and $25.03 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level architectural and civil drafters salary in Traverse City?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $40,600 a year and the 25th percentile is $45,530, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the architectural and civil drafters take-home pay in Traverse City?
About $44,403 a year ($3,700 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $55,160.
Do architectural and civil drafters earn more in Traverse City than elsewhere?
The average here is 22% 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 Traverse City, MI (45900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.7%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.01, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.