Life As an Electrical Drafter
Career Description 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
- Determine the order of work and the method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
- Study work order requests to determine type of service, such as lighting or power, demanded by installation.
- 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.
- Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
- Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
- Reproduce working drawings on copy machines or trace drawings in ink.
Featured schools near , edit
Electrical Drafter Required Skills
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.
Other Electrical Drafter Job Titles
- Drafter
- CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman)
- Engineering Agent
- Associate Drafter
- CADD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Drafter)
Electrical Drafter Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 27,400 jobs in the United States for Electrical 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 Electrical 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 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.
Electrical Drafter Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Electrical Drafters is somewhere between $36,660 and $99,240.
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
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Electrical Drafters may use on a daily basis:
- 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
Becoming an Electrical Drafter
What education or degrees do I need to become an Electrical Drafter?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Electrical Drafters Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those who work as an Electrical Drafter sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.