SOC 3120 Science, engineering and technology associate professionals

CAD, drawing and architectural technicians Salary

Median salary £34,465 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £34,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For cad, drawing and architectural technicians, £35,221 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -10% versus the national average. Experienced cad, drawing and architectural technicians (top 25%) earn over £42,230.

About this role

CAD, drawing and architectural technicians provide technical support, implementation and operational expertise within IT and technology environments. They configure systems, troubleshoot issues, implement solutions and ensure technology infrastructure operates reliably and securely.

Key responsibilities

Installing, configuring and maintaining IT systems and infrastructure
Troubleshooting technical issues and providing user support
Implementing security measures and monitoring system performance
Documenting technical procedures and configurations
Collaborating with development and engineering teams

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree, HND or professional certifications in a relevant technology area. Certifications such as CompTIA, Cisco (CCNA), Microsoft (Azure/365) or AWS are valued. Apprenticeships provide alternative entry routes.

Career outlook

Strong demand across all sectors. Cloud, cybersecurity and data management skills are particularly sought after.

Key skills

Technical troubleshooting Systems administration Network management Security awareness Documentation

Common industries

Technology
Financial services
Public sector
Telecommunications
Managed service providers

Data coverage

SOC code 3120

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 41,000

Median Salary

£34,465

Mean Salary

£36,863

Jobs (000s)

41k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £29,265Median: £34,465P75: £42,230

P10: £24kP25: £29kMedian: £34kP75: £42kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£23,817

0-2 years

Mid Level

£29,265

3-7 years

Senior

£42,230

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +77% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +15.8%Real growth: -6.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 19.3%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£34,465

Full-time Only

£35,221

Full-time premium: +£756

CAD, drawing and architectural technicians salary: common questions

How much do cad, drawing and architectural technicians earn in the UK?

CAD, drawing and architectural technicians earn a median of £35,221 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £29,265 and £42,230.

Is £35,221 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for cad, drawing and architectural technicians?

Entry-level cad, drawing and architectural technicians typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £29,265, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £23,817.

Have cad, drawing and architectural technicians salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median cad, drawing and architectural technicians pay has risen from £30,100 to £35,221 — +17% in cash terms, or -5.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for cad, drawing and architectural technicians?

Male cad, drawing and architectural technicians earn a median £36,222 and female cad, drawing and architectural technicians £29,236 — a gap of +19% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).