What Does it Take to Be an Electrical Drafter?
Electrical Drafter Example Develop specifications and instructions for installation of voltage transformers, overhead or underground cables, and related electrical equipment used to conduct electrical energy from transmission lines or high-voltage distribution lines to consumers.
Life As an Electrical Drafter
- Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
- Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets which are checked by an engineer or an architect.
- Design electrical systems, such as lighting systems.
- Visit proposed installation sites and draw rough sketches of location.
- Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
- Write technical reports and draw charts that display statistics and data.
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What an Electrical Drafter Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Electrical Drafters say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Staking Technician
- CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman)
- Engineer
- CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator)
- Electrical Drafter
Is There Job Demand for Electrical Drafters?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 27,400 jobs in the United States for Electrical Drafter. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,900 new jobs for Electrical Drafter by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,600 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Electrical Drafter are Nevada, Colorado, and Vermont. Watch out if you plan on working in Washington, Wyoming, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Electrical Drafters Salary
The average yearly salary of an Electrical Drafter ranges between $36,660 and $99,240.

Electrical Drafters who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
How much do Electrical Drafters make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $55,550 |
Alaska | $67,360 |
Arizona | $63,790 |
Arkansas | $60,730 |
California | $76,420 |
Colorado | $60,430 |
Connecticut | $58,250 |
Delaware | $65,480 |
District of Columbia | $87,870 |
Florida | $55,390 |
Georgia | $54,220 |
Hawaii | $63,020 |
Idaho | $44,760 |
Illinois | $68,930 |
Indiana | $57,980 |
Iowa | $61,380 |
Kansas | $45,910 |
Kentucky | $58,200 |
Louisiana | $68,510 |
Maine | $58,190 |
Maryland | $61,750 |
Massachusetts | $63,880 |
Michigan | $47,620 |
Minnesota | $63,870 |
Mississippi | $60,340 |
Missouri | $61,420 |
Montana | $51,960 |
Nebraska | $56,520 |
Nevada | $57,850 |
New Hampshire | $65,740 |
New Jersey | $69,950 |
New Mexico | $74,870 |
New York | $69,500 |
North Carolina | $47,690 |
North Dakota | $62,400 |
Ohio | $59,680 |
Oklahoma | $64,650 |
Oregon | $70,700 |
Pennsylvania | $63,170 |
South Carolina | $63,210 |
Tennessee | $63,600 |
Texas | $60,760 |
Utah | $61,660 |
Vermont | $77,590 |
Virginia | $61,160 |
Washington | $88,120 |
West Virginia | $63,740 |
Wisconsin | $54,720 |
Wyoming | $57,530 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Electrical Drafters
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Electrical Drafters:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Access
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Visio
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Bentley MicroStation
- PTC Creo Parametric
- Autodesk Revit
- Verilog
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- PTC Pro/INTRALINK
- PTC Pro/Pipe
- PTC Pro/CABLE
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Project Management
Becoming an Electrical Drafter
What education or degrees do I need to become an Electrical Drafter?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Electrical Drafters Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Electrical Drafters employed by various industries.

Similar Careers
Career changers with experience as an Electrical Drafter sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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