Architectural & Civil Drafters

Also Called: Architectural Drafter, Civil Drafter, Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer), Draftsman

Associate's degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$39,720

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Architectural & Civil Drafters do

Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.

  • Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
  • Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
  • Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  • Spend Time Sitting

Tools

  • Scanners
  • Curves
  • Scales
  • Tablet computers
  • Graphics or video accelerator cards

Technology

Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Writing

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
design
building and construction
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Safety and Government
public safety and security

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, & Aquacultural Animals

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Civil Engineering Technologists & Technicians

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Architectural & Civil Drafters Currently Selected

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

Civil Engineers

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, TX

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

    Tifton, GA

Apprenticeships

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Independence

Values

  • Support
  • Working Conditions
  • Achievement

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Math

This is what Architectural & Civil Drafters across the country typically make.

$19.09 / hour
$39,720 /year

Entry Level

$29.72 / hour
$61,820 /year

Median Level

$45.47 / hour
$94,580 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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