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Architectural Drafter

What Do Architectural Drafter Do?

Job Description: Prepare detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.

A Day in the Life of an Architectural Drafter

  • Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
  • Build landscape, architectural, and display models.
  • Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to lists of materials.
  • Analyze technical implications of architect’s design concept, calculating weights, volumes, and stress factors.
  • Calculate heat loss and gain of buildings and structures to determine required equipment specifications, following standard procedures.
  • Prepare colored drawings of landscape and interior designs for presentation to client.

What an Architectural Drafter Should Know

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

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.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Types of Architectural Drafter

  • Architectural Drafter
  • Architecture Technician
  • Computer-Aided Design Drafter (CAD Drafter)
  • Architect in Training
  • Steel Detailer

What Kind of Architectural Drafter Job Opportunities Are There?

There were about 99,600 jobs for Architectural Drafter in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,100 new jobs for Architectural Drafter by 2026. There will be an estimated 9,500 positions for Architectural Drafter per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Architectural Drafter are Utah, Nevada, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, West Virginia, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Architectural Drafters Salary

The average yearly salary of an Architectural Drafter ranges between $35,020 and $80,880.

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Architectural Drafters who work in District of Columbia, Illinois, or California, make the highest salaries.

How much do Architectural Drafters make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $52,740
Alaska $60,200
Arizona $58,700
Arkansas $45,500
California $63,320
Colorado $59,560
Connecticut $64,390
Delaware $52,830
District of Columbia $68,330
Florida $53,270
Georgia $57,280
Hawaii $54,520
Idaho $48,710
Illinois $64,720
Indiana $54,080
Iowa $55,490
Kansas $50,500
Kentucky $51,330
Louisiana $56,390
Maine $51,380
Maryland $64,560
Massachusetts $59,740
Michigan $51,760
Minnesota $54,300
Mississippi $48,980
Missouri $55,000
Montana $46,020
Nebraska $50,270
Nevada $49,510
New Hampshire $53,540
New Jersey $58,840
New Mexico $51,200
New York $59,770
North Carolina $53,160
North Dakota $57,230
Ohio $53,720
Oklahoma $54,840
Oregon $58,480
Pennsylvania $52,320
Rhode Island $58,190
South Carolina $51,820
South Dakota $43,090
Tennessee $54,360
Texas $56,120
Utah $51,640
Vermont $45,310
Virginia $54,390
Washington $58,170
West Virginia $56,320
Wisconsin $53,450
Wyoming $53,050

What Tools & Technology 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 Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Project
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • Database software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
  • C
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • SAP software

How do I Become an Architectural Drafter?

Learn what Architectural Drafter education requirements there are.

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

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming an Architectural Drafter might also be interested in the following careers:

Career changers with experience as an Architectural 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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