All About Electronic Drafters

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

List of Electronic Drafter Job Duties

• Select drill size to drill test head, according to test design and specifications, and submit guide layout to designated department.
• Plot electrical test points on layout sheets and draw schematics for wiring test fixture heads to frames.
• Train students to use drafting machines and to prepare schematic diagrams, block diagrams, control drawings, logic diagrams, integrated circuit drawings, or interconnection diagrams.
• Review work orders or procedural manuals and confer with vendors or design staff to resolve problems or modify design.
• Generate computer tapes of final layout design to produce layered photo masks or photo plotting design onto film.
• Copy drawings of printed circuit board fabrication using print machine or blueprinting procedure.

Electronic Drafter Required Skills

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.

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

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design CAD Drafter)
• Test Fixture Designer
• Drafting and Printed Circuit Design Supervisor
• CADD Operator (Computer Aided Drafting /Design Operator)
• CADD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Drafter)

Electronic Drafter Employment Estimates

In the United States, there were 27,400 jobs for Electronic 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 Electronic Drafter by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,600 job openings in this field each year.

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.

How Much Does an Electronic Drafter Make?

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

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

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Electronic Drafters 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 Electronic Drafters

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Electronic Drafters:

• 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
• Sage ERP Accpac
• UGS Solid Edge
• SofTech CADRA
• PTC Pro/INTRALINK
• Bowen & Groves M1 ERP
• Epicor Vantage

Becoming an Electronic Drafter

Learn what Electronic Drafter education requirements there are.

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

Where Electronic Drafters Are Employed

Electronic Drafters work in the following industries:

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License

More about our data sources and methodologies.