What Do Architectural Drafters Do?
Architectural Drafter Job Description Prepare detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
Daily Life Of an Architectural Drafter
- Prepare cost estimates, contracts, bidding documents, and technical reports for specific projects under an architect’s supervision.
- Prepare colored drawings of landscape and interior designs for presentation to client.
- Draw rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data.
- Determine procedures and instructions to be followed, according to design specifications and quantity of required materials.
- Operate computer-aided drafting (CAD) equipment or conventional drafting station to produce designs, working drawings, charts, forms, and records.
- Analyze technical implications of architect’s design concept, calculating weights, volumes, and stress factors.
Skills Needed to be 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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles
- Structural Drafter
- Structural Draftsman
- Architect Intern
- CADD Operator (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Operator)
- AutoCAD Designer
Is There Going to be Demand for Architectural Drafters?
In the United States, there were 99,600 jobs for Architectural and Civil Drafters in 2016.
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.1% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,100 new jobs for Architectural Drafters by 2026. The BLS estimates 9,500 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Architectural and Civil Drafters are Texas, California, and Florida.
Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Wyoming, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Architectural Drafter Salary
The salary for Architectural and Civil Drafters ranges between about $35,020 and $80,880 a year. An Architectural Drafter median salary is $54,920.
How much do Architectural and Civil Drafters make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
District of Columbia |
$68,330 |
|
Illinois |
$64,720 |
|
Maryland |
$64,560 |
|
Connecticut |
$64,390 |
|
California |
$63,320 |
|
Alaska |
$60,200 |
|
New York |
$59,770 |
|
Massachusetts |
$59,740 |
|
Colorado |
$59,560 |
|
New Jersey |
$58,840 |
|
Arizona |
$58,700 |
|
Oregon |
$58,480 |
|
Rhode Island |
$58,190 |
|
Washington |
$58,170 |
|
Georgia |
$57,280 |
|
North Dakota |
$57,230 |
|
Louisiana |
$56,390 |
|
West Virginia |
$56,320 |
|
Texas |
$56,120 |
|
Iowa |
$55,490 |
|
Missouri |
$55,000 |
|
Oklahoma |
$54,840 |
|
Hawaii |
$54,520 |
|
Virginia |
$54,390 |
|
Tennessee |
$54,360 |
|
Minnesota |
$54,300 |
|
Indiana |
$54,080 |
|
Ohio |
$53,720 |
|
New Hampshire |
$53,540 |
|
Wisconsin |
$53,450 |
|
Florida |
$53,270 |
|
North Carolina |
$53,160 |
|
Wyoming |
$53,050 |
|
Delaware |
$52,830 |
|
Alabama |
$52,740 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$52,320 |
|
South Carolina |
$51,820 |
|
Michigan |
$51,760 |
|
Utah |
$51,640 |
|
Maine |
$51,380 |
|
Kentucky |
$51,330 |
|
New Mexico |
$51,200 |
|
Kansas |
$50,500 |
|
Nebraska |
$50,270 |
|
Nevada |
$49,510 |
|
Mississippi |
$48,980 |
|
Idaho |
$48,710 |
|
Montana |
$46,020 |
|
Arkansas |
$45,500 |
|
Vermont |
$45,310 |
|
South Dakota |
$43,090 |
What Tools do Architectural Drafters Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Architectural Drafters may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Word
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk Revit Architecture
- Microsoft Visio
- C
- Microsoft Office
- Autodesk Revit
- Graphisoft ArchiCAD
- ERP software
- Microsoft Outlook
Becoming an Architectural Drafter
What education is needed to be an Architectural Drafter?
How Long Does it Take to Become Architectural Drafter?
Who Employs Architectural Drafters?
Similar Careers
Those interested in being an Architectural Drafter may also be interested in:
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
Career changers with experience as an Architectural Drafter sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Set and Exhibit Designers
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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