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Electrical Drafter

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What is 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.

A Day in the Life of an Electrical Drafter

  • Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
  • Prepare and interpret specifications, calculating weights, volumes, and stress factors.
  • Draw master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to existing facilities and exact specifications and dimensions.
  • Supervise and train other technologists, technicians and drafters.
  • Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
  • 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.

What Every 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.

Types of Electrical Drafter

  • Estimator and Drafter
  • Estimator and Drafter Supervisor
  • CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman)
  • Staking Technician
  • Engineering Agent

Job Opportunities for Electrical Drafters

In the United States, there were 27,400 jobs for Electrical Drafter in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 2,600 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

What is the Average Salary of an Electrical Drafter

Electrical Drafters make between $36,660 and $99,240 a year.

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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

How to Become an Electrical Drafter

What kind of Electrical Drafter requirements are there?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Electrical Drafters Sector

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Below are examples of industries where Electrical Drafters work:

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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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