Life As an Electrical Drafter
Job Description & Duties 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.
Electrical Drafter Responsibilities
- Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
- Draw master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to existing facilities and exact specifications and dimensions.
- Study work order requests to determine type of service, such as lighting or power, demanded by installation.
- Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
- Measure factors that affect installation and arrangement of equipment, such as distances to be spanned by wire and cable.
- Use computer-aided drafting equipment or conventional drafting stations, technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and traditional drafting tools, such as boards, pencils, protractors, and T-squares.
Things an Electrical Drafter Should Know How to Do
Electrical Drafters state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Other Electrical Drafter Job Titles
- Electrical Designer
- Estimator and Drafter
- Estimator and Drafter Supervisor
- Engineer
- Line Staker
What Kind of Electrical Drafter Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 27,400 jobs in the United States for Electrical and Electronics Drafters.
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.8% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,900 new jobs for Electrical Drafters by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,600 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Electrical and Electronics Drafters are California, Texas, and Florida.
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.
Electrical Drafter Salary
The typical yearly salary for Electrical and Electronics Drafters is somewhere between $36,660 and $99,240. An Electrical Drafter median salary is $60,070.
How much do Electrical and Electronics Drafters make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Washington |
$88,120 |
|
District of Columbia |
$87,870 |
|
Vermont |
$77,590 |
|
California |
$76,420 |
|
New Mexico |
$74,870 |
|
Oregon |
$70,700 |
|
New Jersey |
$69,950 |
|
New York |
$69,500 |
|
Illinois |
$68,930 |
|
Louisiana |
$68,510 |
|
Alaska |
$67,360 |
|
New Hampshire |
$65,740 |
|
Delaware |
$65,480 |
|
Oklahoma |
$64,650 |
|
Massachusetts |
$63,880 |
|
Minnesota |
$63,870 |
|
Arizona |
$63,790 |
|
West Virginia |
$63,740 |
|
Tennessee |
$63,600 |
|
South Carolina |
$63,210 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$63,170 |
|
Hawaii |
$63,020 |
|
North Dakota |
$62,400 |
|
Maryland |
$61,750 |
|
Utah |
$61,660 |
|
Missouri |
$61,420 |
|
Iowa |
$61,380 |
|
Virginia |
$61,160 |
|
Texas |
$60,760 |
|
Arkansas |
$60,730 |
|
Colorado |
$60,430 |
|
Mississippi |
$60,340 |
|
Ohio |
$59,680 |
|
Connecticut |
$58,250 |
|
Kentucky |
$58,200 |
|
Maine |
$58,190 |
|
Indiana |
$57,980 |
|
Nevada |
$57,850 |
|
Wyoming |
$57,530 |
|
Nebraska |
$56,520 |
|
Alabama |
$55,550 |
|
Florida |
$55,390 |
|
Wisconsin |
$54,720 |
|
Georgia |
$54,220 |
|
Montana |
$51,960 |
|
North Carolina |
$47,690 |
|
Michigan |
$47,620 |
|
Kansas |
$45,910 |
|
Idaho |
$44,760 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Electrical Drafters
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Electrical Drafters may use on a daily basis:
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- COADE CADWorx P&ID
- Aveva Group Plant Design Management System PDMS
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- ECT International Raceway Multi-Pack
- PTC Pro/Pipe
- Bentley I/RAS B
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Access
Becoming an Electrical Drafter
What kind of Electrical Drafter requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Electrical Drafters Work
Similar Careers
Those who work as Electrical Drafters sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Commercial and Industrial Designers
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.