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.
A Day in the Life of an Electronic Drafter
- Generate computer tapes of final layout design to produce layered photo masks or photo plotting design onto film.
- Supervise and coordinate work activities of workers engaged in drafting, designing layouts, assembling, or testing printed circuit boards.
- Review blueprints to determine customer requirements and consult with assembler regarding schematics, wiring procedures, or conductor paths.
- Compare logic element configuration on display screen with engineering schematics and calculate figures to convert, redesign, or modify element.
- Key and program specified commands and engineering specifications into computer system to change functions and test final layout.
- Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
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What Every Electronic Drafter Should Know
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.
Related Job Titles
- Computer-Aided Design Technician
- Senior Designer
- CADD Designer (Computer Aided Drafting / Design ( Cad ) Designer)
- CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer)
- Design Drafter
Job Outlook 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.

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.
What is the Average Salary of an Electronic Drafter
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.
How much do Electronic Drafters make in each U.S. state?
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
- 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
Individuals working as an Electronic Drafter have obtained the following education levels:

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

Who Employs Electronic Drafters?

The table below shows the approximate number of Electronic Drafters employed by various industries.

References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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