What Do Electrical Drafter Do?
Occupation Description 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.
Daily Life Of an Electrical Drafter
- Determine the order of work and the method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
- Visit proposed installation sites and draw rough sketches of location.
- Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
- Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
- 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.
Qualities of an Electrical Drafter
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.
Other Electrical Drafter Job Titles
- AutoCAD Designer
- Estimator and Drafter
- CAD Technician (Computer Aided Drafting Technician)
- Staking Engineer
- Instrumentation Designer
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. There will be an estimated 2,600 positions for Electrical Drafter per 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
Electrical Drafters make between $36,660 and $99,240 a year.
Electrical Drafters who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Electrical Drafters 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
How to Become an Electrical Drafter
Are there Electrical Drafters education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become an Electrical Drafter?
Where do Electrical Drafters Work?
Below are examples of industries where Electrical Drafters work:
Similar Careers
Those who work as an Electrical 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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