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Electronic Drafter

All About Electronic Drafters

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

Life As an Electronic Drafter

  • Copy drawings of printed circuit board fabrication using print machine or blueprinting procedure.
  • Generate computer tapes of final layout design to produce layered photo masks or photo plotting design onto film.
  • Compare logic element configuration on display screen with engineering schematics and calculate figures to convert, redesign, or modify element.
  • Review blueprints to determine customer requirements and consult with assembler regarding schematics, wiring procedures, or conductor paths.
  • Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
  • Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.

Skills Needed to be an Electronic Drafter

Below is a list of the skills most Electronic Drafters say are important on the job.

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.

Types of Electronic Drafter Jobs

  • Printed Circuit Board PCB Designer (PCB Designer)
  • Printed Circuit Board PCB Draftsman (PCB Draftsman)
  • Electrical CADD Designer (Electrical Computer Aided Drafting / Design Designer)
  • Design Drafter
  • Drafter

Is There Job Demand for Electronic Drafters?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 27,400 jobs in the United States for Electronic 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 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

Electronic Drafters make between $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 to Become an Electronic Drafter

What education or degrees do I need to become an Electronic Drafter?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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References:

Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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