Drafting Degrees
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Earn a degree in drafting from an accredited college
If you have skill with a pencil and are comfortable drawing and designing, then drafting could be a good career option for you. Drafters are a vital part of the architectural, engineering, scientific, and design fields, and are needed for a large variety of jobs. A drafter could do anything from preliminary drawings for an architect to detailed technical drawings for engineers and scientists using both traditional hand-drawing techniques and computer-based programming.
What skills do I need to become a drafter?
In many drafting jobs, you will have to use Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) systems to prepare drawings, so training with these programs is a good place to start. You’ll also need to know traditional drafting techniques (with a paper, pencil, ruler, and compass). Formal training can be received at a technical institute, community college or 4-year college or university and is usually the best route to take.
What does a drafter do?
As a drafter you will have opportunities to work in a variety of fields and with a variety of professionals. You might work with an architect to do preliminary drawings for public and private homes and buildings. You could also work with an engineer to create site plans and maps or to draw out cross-sections and details of buildings in order to make structures safer. Drafters also draw out diagrams of products in order to explain them or give instruction. Or you could work more conceptually and come up with innovative designs for cars, buildings, and other products that others will create and finish.
5 Common Careers:
- Architectural Drafter – used by an architect to do preliminary drawings
- Civil Drafter – work with an engineer to make site plans, etc.
- Conceptual Drafter – drawing others’ ideas on a computer
- Structural Drafter – draws all of the details that make up the structure of a building (for an engineer)
- Mechanical Drafter – creates diagrams and makes them readable
How much would I make as a drafter?
No matter what kind of drafter you are, your salary’s going to be pretty good. Most drafters in the architectural, civil, structural, or mechanical drafting fields will make approximately $45,000 – $50,000. If you become a conceptual drafter you could make as much as $63,000 annually. Even if you’re not the boss, you still have a lot of opportunities and can make some good money!
How popular are jobs in drafting?
The nice thing about jobs in drafting is the variety of jobs that you can do. You’re not pigeonholed into one option alone, but you can work in the fields of engineering, architecture, design, etc. While the employment rate is not improving as quickly as some careers, the more schooling you have the better your chances are. Also, the more specific technical skills you gain, the more varied your options are!
How do I become a drafter?
Schooling is the place to begin, whether it’s at a technical institute, community college, or 4-year college or university. The more formal training you receive, the better your chances with potential employers. The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) also has a certification program for drafters, which is not always necessary for a job, but is proof to potential employers of your competence in the field and might give you a leg-up on the competition.
Salary and career outlook data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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