What You Need to Know About Architectural Drafter
Occupation Description Prepare detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
List of Architectural Drafter Job Duties
- Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
- Obtain and assemble data to complete architectural designs, visiting job sites to compile measurements as necessary.
- Represent architect on construction site, ensuring builder compliance with design specifications and advising on design corrections, under architect’s supervision.
- Reproduce drawings on copy machines or trace copies of plans and drawings, using transparent paper or cloth, ink, pencil, and standard drafting instruments.
- Determine procedures and instructions to be followed, according to design specifications and quantity of required materials.
- Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to lists of materials.
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Qualities of an Architectural Drafter
Architectural Drafters state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Types of Architectural Drafter
- Commercial Drafter
- Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer)
- Architectural Intern
- Landscape Drafter
- Plumbing Designer
Job Outlook for Architectural Drafters
In the United States, there were 99,600 jobs for Architectural Drafter in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,100 new jobs for Architectural Drafter by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,500 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Architectural Drafter are Utah, Nevada, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, West Virginia, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Architectural Drafter Make?
The salary for Architectural Drafters ranges between about $35,020 and $80,880 a year.
Architectural Drafters who work in District of Columbia, Illinois, or California, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Architectural Drafters in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $52,740 |
| Alaska | $60,200 |
| Arizona | $58,700 |
| Arkansas | $45,500 |
| California | $63,320 |
| Colorado | $59,560 |
| Connecticut | $64,390 |
| Delaware | $52,830 |
| District of Columbia | $68,330 |
| Florida | $53,270 |
| Georgia | $57,280 |
| Hawaii | $54,520 |
| Idaho | $48,710 |
| Illinois | $64,720 |
| Indiana | $54,080 |
| Iowa | $55,490 |
| Kansas | $50,500 |
| Kentucky | $51,330 |
| Louisiana | $56,390 |
| Maine | $51,380 |
| Maryland | $64,560 |
| Massachusetts | $59,740 |
| Michigan | $51,760 |
| Minnesota | $54,300 |
| Mississippi | $48,980 |
| Missouri | $55,000 |
| Montana | $46,020 |
| Nebraska | $50,270 |
| Nevada | $49,510 |
| New Hampshire | $53,540 |
| New Jersey | $58,840 |
| New Mexico | $51,200 |
| New York | $59,770 |
| North Carolina | $53,160 |
| North Dakota | $57,230 |
| Ohio | $53,720 |
| Oklahoma | $54,840 |
| Oregon | $58,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,320 |
| Rhode Island | $58,190 |
| South Carolina | $51,820 |
| South Dakota | $43,090 |
| Tennessee | $54,360 |
| Texas | $56,120 |
| Utah | $51,640 |
| Vermont | $45,310 |
| Virginia | $54,390 |
| Washington | $58,170 |
| West Virginia | $56,320 |
| Wisconsin | $53,450 |
| Wyoming | $53,050 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Architectural Drafters
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Architectural Drafters may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Database software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- C
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Bentley MicroStation
- SAP software
How do I Become an Architectural Drafter?
Education needed to be an Architectural Drafter:
What work experience do I need to become an Architectural Drafter?
Who Employs Architectural Drafters?
The table below shows the approximate number of Architectural Drafters employed by various industries.
Similar Careers
Those interested in being an Architectural Drafter may also be interested in:
Those who work as an Architectural Drafter sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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