What You Need to Know About Architectural Drafter
Job Description: Prepare detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
List of Architectural Drafter Job Duties
- Analyze technical implications of architect’s design concept, calculating weights, volumes, and stress factors.
- Reproduce drawings on copy machines or trace copies of plans and drawings, using transparent paper or cloth, ink, pencil, and standard drafting instruments.
- Prepare cost estimates, contracts, bidding documents, and technical reports for specific projects under an architect’s supervision.
- Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
- Draw rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data.
- Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
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Skills Needed to be an Architectural Drafter
These are the skills Architectural Drafters say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Other Architectural Drafter Job Titles
- Commercial Drafter
- Landscape Drafter
- Designer
- Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer)
- Drafter
Architectural Drafter Employment Estimates
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. The BLS estimates 9,500 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Architectural Drafter Average Salary
Architectural Drafters make between $35,020 and $80,880 a year.
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Architectural Drafters
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 to Become an Architectural Drafter
What education is needed to be an Architectural Drafter?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Architectural Drafter?
Where Architectural Drafters Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Architectural Drafters work:
You May Also 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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