Drafters
Career, Salary and Education Information
What They Do: Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings.
Work Environment: Although drafters spend much of their time working on computers in an office, some may visit jobsites in order to collaborate with architects and engineers. Most drafters work full time.
How to Become One: Drafters typically complete education after high school, often through a program at a community college or technical school. Some programs lead to an associate of applied science in drafting or a related degree. Others result in a certificate or diploma.
Salary: The median annual wage for drafters is $60,290.
Job Outlook: Employment of drafters is projected to decline 3 percent over the next ten years.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of drafters with similar occupations.
Following is everything you need to know about a career as a drafter with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:
Top 3 Drafters Jobs
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Drafter
- Utilisource
- Kansas City, MO
The Drafter is essentially the go-to person for every drawing and digital representation of the project. This is a position of great responsibility, requiring not only excellent CAD skills, but good ...
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AutoCad/Fusion Drafter/Designer
- American Renewable Technologies, Inc.
- Lake Forest, CA
We are seeking skilled AutoCAD and Fusion Designers for Full-Time career opportunities who will generate solid geometry computer models and 2D/3D engineering drawings for systems, product assemblies ...
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CAD Manager / Drafter
- Keith MFG Company
- Madras, OR
CAD Manager / DrafterShift: 7:00am-3:30pm Monday-FridayOvertime may be required KEITH Walking Floor Systems provide horizontal loading/unloading solutions for bulk materials, pallets, bales and rolls
What Drafters Do[About this section] [To Top]
Drafters use software to convert the designs of architects and engineers into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.
Duties of Drafters
Drafters typically do the following:
- Design plans using computer-aided design (CAD) software
- Work from rough sketches and specifications created by engineers and architects
- Design products with engineering and manufacturing techniques
- Add details to architectural plans from their knowledge of building techniques
- Specify dimensions, materials, and procedures for new products
- Work under the supervision of engineers or architects
Many drafters are referred to as CAD operators. Using CAD systems, drafters create and store technical drawings digitally. These drawings contain information on how to build a structure or machine, the dimensions of the project, and what materials are needed to complete the project.
Drafters work with CAD so they can create schematics that can be viewed, printed, or programmed directly into building information modeling (BIM) systems. These systems allow drafters, architects, construction managers, and engineers to create and collaborate on digital models of physical buildings and machines. Through three-dimensional rendering, BIM software allows designers and engineers to see how different elements in their projects work together.
The following are examples of types of drafters:
Architectural drafters draw architectural and structural features of buildings for construction projects. These workers may specialize in a type of building, such as residential or commercial. They may also specialize by the materials used, such as steel, wood, or reinforced concrete.
Civil drafters prepare topographical maps used in construction and civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and flood-control projects.
Electrical drafters prepare wiring diagrams that construction workers use to install and repair electrical equipment and wiring in power plants, electrical distribution systems, and residential and commercial buildings.
Electronics drafters produce wiring diagrams, assembly diagrams for circuit boards, and layout drawings used in manufacturing and in installing and repairing electronic devices and components.
Mechanical drafters prepare layouts that show the details for a wide variety of machinery and mechanical tools and devices, such as medical equipment. These layouts indicate dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements needed for assembly. Mechanical drafters sometimes create production molds.
Work Environment for Drafters[About this section] [To Top]
Drafters hold about 192,200 jobs. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up drafters is distributed as follows:
| Architectural and civil drafters | 105,400 |
| Mechanical drafters | 49,400 |
| Electrical and electronics drafters | 21,500 |
| Drafters, all other | 15,900 |
The largest employers of drafters are as follows:
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 49% |
| Manufacturing | 23% |
| Construction | 11% |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 4% |
Although drafters spend much of their time working on computers in an office, some may visit jobsites to collaborate with architects and engineers.
Drafter Work Schedules
Most drafters work full time. Some work more than 40 hours a week.
How to Become a Drafter[About this section] [To Top]
Get the education you need: Find schools for Drafters near you!
Drafters typically need specialized training, which can be accomplished through a technical program that leads to a certificate or an associate's degree in drafting.
Education for Drafters
Drafters generally need to complete postsecondary education in drafting. This is typically done through a 2-year associate's degree from a technical institute or community college.
Technical institutes offer instruction in design fundamentals, sketching, and computer-aided design (CAD) software and award certificates or diplomas upon completion. Programs vary in length but are generally 2 years of full-time education. The types of courses offered will also vary by institution. Some institutions may specialize in only one type of drafting, such as mechanical or architectural drafting.
Community colleges offer programs similar to those in technical institutes that lead to an associate of applied science in drafting or related degree. After completing an associate's degree program, graduates may get jobs as drafters or continue their education in a related field at a 4-year college. Most 4-year colleges do not offer training in drafting, but they do offer classes in engineering, architecture, and mathematics.
To prepare for postsecondary education, high school students may find it useful to take courses in mathematics, science, computer technology, design, computer graphics, and where available, drafting.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Drafters
The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) offers certification for drafters. Although not mandatory, certification demonstrates competence and knowledge of nationally recognized practices. Certifications are offered for several specialties, including architectural, civil, and mechanical drafting.
Important Qualities for Drafters
Creativity. Drafters must be able to turn plans and ideas into technical drawings that will guide the creation of real buildings, tools, and systems.
Detail oriented. Drafters must pay close attention to details so that the plans they convert are technically accurate according to the outlined specifications.
Interpersonal skills. Drafters work closely with architects, engineers, and other designers to make sure that final plans are accurate. This requires the ability to communicate effectively and work well with others.
Math skills. Drafters work on technical drawings. They may be required to solve mathematical calculations involving factors such as angles, weights, and costs.
Technical skills. Drafters in all specialties must be able to use computer software, such as CAD, and work with database tools, such as building information modeling (BIM).
Time-management skills. Drafters often work under strict deadlines. As a result, they must work efficiently to produce the required output according to set schedules.
Drafter Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]
The median annual wage for drafters is $60,290. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,970.
Median annual wages for drafters are as follows:
| Electrical and electronics drafters | $61,510 |
| Architectural and civil drafters | $60,340 |
| Mechanical drafters | $60,200 |
| Drafters, all other | $54,240 |
The median annual wages for drafters in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | $60,460 |
| Construction | $60,210 |
| Manufacturing | $58,420 |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | $49,170 |
Most drafters work full time. Some work more than 40 hours a week.
Job Outlook for Drafters[About this section] [To Top]
Overall employment of drafters is projected to decline 3 percent over the next ten years. Employment growth will vary by specialty.
Despite declining employment, about 18,900 openings for drafters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment of Drafters
Expected employment decreases in manufacturing and engineering services will more than offset the small increases in construction. These decreases will be driven by the use of computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) technologies, which allow engineers and architects to perform many tasks that used to be done by drafters.
Candidates proficient in CAD and BIM are likely to have better job opportunities.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Drafters | 192,200 | 185,400 | -3 | -6,700 |
| Architectural and civil drafters | 105,400 | 104,100 | -1 | -1,300 |
| Electrical and electronics drafters | 21,500 | 21,500 | 0 | 0 |
| Mechanical drafters | 49,400 | 45,200 | -9 | -4,200 |
| Drafters, all other | 15,900 | 14,700 | -8 | -1,200 |
More Drafter Information[About this section] [To Top]
For more information on schools offering programs in drafting and related fields, visit
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
For more information on certification, visit
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.