Architectural and Civil Drafters pay range in Rochester
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,670 a year or less, while the top 10% make $105,140 or more. The middle half of architectural and civil drafters in Rochester earn between $66,150 and $105,140.
- $59K10th
- $66K25th
- $84KMedian
- $105K75th
- $105K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $83,220 | $6,935 | $40.01 |
| Median | $83,780 | $6,982 | $40.28 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $66,150 | $5,512 | $31.80 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $105,140 | $8,762 | $50.55 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Architectural and Civil Drafters pay in Rochester vs. Minnesota and the U.S.
Architectural and civil drafters in Rochester earn 15% more than the Minnesota average ($72,220) and 18% more than the U.S. average ($70,740). At the median the gap is +27% against the U.S. median of $66,150.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $83,220 | $83,780 | $58,670 | $105,140 | 60 |
| Minnesota | $72,220 | $70,680 | $52,000 | $98,110 | 1,930 |
| 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 Rochester
On the average salary of $83,220, a single filer in Rochester takes home about $63,240 a year, or $5,270 a month and $2,432 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
Is Rochester a good place for architectural and civil drafters? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Rochester area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.8), so the average $83,220 buys what about $91,631 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Rochester ($60,620). A typical home costs $343,121, or 4.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in other Minnesota cities
Rochester ranks 1st of 4 Minnesota metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Rochester$83,220
- Minneapolis$73,980
- St. Cloud$67,270
- Duluth$66,190
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
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Architectural and Civil Drafters salary in Rochester: questions
How much do architectural and civil drafters make an hour in Rochester?
$40.01 an hour on average, and $40.28 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level architectural and civil drafters salary in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,670 a year and the 25th percentile is $66,150, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the architectural and civil drafters take-home pay in Rochester?
About $63,240 a year ($5,270 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $83,220. Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
Do architectural and civil drafters earn more in Rochester than elsewhere?
The average here is 18% more 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 Rochester, MN (40340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.1%.
- 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 (2026 rules). Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.68, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.68).
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