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Architectural and Civil Drafters Salary in Oregon: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Architectural and Civil Drafters salary really buy you in Oregon?

Oregon is 6.6% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$67,430
Median annual (2024)
-6.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$63,255
COL-adjusted (RPP=106.6)

Oregon Cost of Living Index

Oregon's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 106.6, meaning prices are 6.6% higher the national average. A Architectural and Civil Drafters earning $67,430 in Oregon has the equivalent purchasing power of $63,255 in an average-cost US state.

OR: 106.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Oregon's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $48,350 $45,356 $-2,993
25th Percentile (P25) $56,640 $53,133 $-3,506
Median (P50) $67,430 $63,255 $-4,174
75th Percentile (P75) $80,090 $75,131 $-4,958
90th Percentile (P90) $101,930 $95,619 $-6,310
Key Insight

While $67,430 sounds high, Oregon's elevated cost of living erases 6% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $63,255. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Architectural and Civil Drafters (After Cost of Living)

Where does Architectural and Civil Drafters salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$84,019
RPP 102.0
$80,110
RPP 90.6
$76,674
RPP 88.7
4. Montana
$75,315
RPP 90.3
$75,229
RPP 102.3
6. Nevada
$74,128
RPP 96.4
7. Iowa
$71,990
RPP 88.4
$71,614
RPP 89.2
$71,002
RPP 88.8
10. Tennessee
$70,784
RPP 91.8

Oregon ranks #36 out of 50 states for Architectural and Civil Drafters after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Architectural and Civil Drafters in Oregon after cost of living?

A Architectural and Civil Drafters in Oregon earns a median salary of $67,430 per year. After adjusting for Oregon's cost of living (RPP=106.6), the real purchasing power is $63,255 — a -6.2% difference.

Is Oregon expensive to live in?

Oregon's cost of living is 6.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Oregon is 106.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Architectural and Civil Drafters in Oregon: $67,430 x (100 / 106.6) = $63,255. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Oregon offset the salary?

Partially — a Architectural and Civil Drafters's nominal salary of $67,430 in Oregon has 6.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $63,255. However, Oregon may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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