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Electronic Drafter

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What is an Electronic Drafter?

Electronic Drafter Job Description Draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used for manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic equipment.

A Day in the Life of an Electronic Drafter

  • Plot electrical test points on layout sheets and draw schematics for wiring test fixture heads to frames.
  • Examine electronic schematics and supporting documents to develop, compute, and verify specifications for drafting data, such as configuration of parts, dimensions, or tolerances.
  • Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
  • Locate files relating to specified design project in database library, load program into computer, and record completed job data.
  • Generate computer tapes of final layout design to produce layered photo masks or photo plotting design onto film.
  • Review work orders or procedural manuals and confer with vendors or design staff to resolve problems or modify design.

What Every Electronic Drafter Should Know

When polled, Electronic Drafters say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Other Electronic Drafter Job Titles

  • AutoCAD Drafter
  • CADD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Drafter)
  • Drafting Technician
  • Designer
  • CADD Designer (Computer Aided Drafting / Design ( Cad ) Designer)

Job Demand for Electronic Drafters

There were about 27,400 jobs for Electronic Drafter in 2016 (in the United States). 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 Electronic Drafter by 2026. There will be an estimated 2,600 positions for Electronic Drafter per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Electronic 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.

Electronic Drafter Salary

The salary for Electronic Drafters ranges between about $36,660 and $99,240 a year.

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Electronic Drafters who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.

How much do Electronic 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

What Tools do Electronic Drafters Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Electronic Drafters may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Project
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • PTC Creo Parametric
  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Verilog
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
  • 1CadCam Unigraphics
  • Cadence PSpice
  • UGS Solid Edge
  • Sage ERP Accpac
  • SofTech CADRA
  • Mentor Graphics PADS
  • Manufacturing resource planning MRP software
  • PTC Pro/INTRALINK

How do I Become an Electronic Drafter?

What education is needed to be an Electronic Drafter?

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What work experience do I need to become an Electronic Drafter?

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Where Electronic Drafters Are Employed

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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References:

Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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