Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Architectural Drafters
Architectural Drafters prepare detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
Table of contents
What they do
Architectural Drafters prepare detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
- Operate computer-aided drafting (CAD) equipment or conventional drafting station to produce designs, working drawings, charts, forms, and records.
- Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
- Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
- Layout and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Architectural Drafters analyze technical implications of an architect’s design concept, calculating weights, volumes, and stress factors. They operate computer-aided drafting (cad) equipment or conventional drafting station to produce designs, working drawings, charts, forms, and records.
A typical day for an Architectural Drafter will also include:
- Determine procedures and instructions to be followed, according to design specifications and quantity of required materials.
- Draw rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data.
- Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
- Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
- Reproduce drawings on copy machines or trace copies of plans and drawings, using transparent paper or cloth, ink, pencil, and standard drafting instruments.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Architectural Drafters also prepare cost estimates, contracts, bidding documents, and technical reports for specific projects under an architect’s supervision. They may also represent architects on the construction site, ensuring builder compliance with design specifications and advising on design corrections, under the architect’s supervision.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Architectural Drafters prepare colored drawings of landscape and interior designs for presentation to clients. They might also create freehand drawings and lettering to accompany drawings.
In addition, they obtain and assemble data to complete architectural designs, visiting job sites to compile measurements as necessary.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them check the dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to lists of materials.
To some Architectural Drafters, it is also their responsibility to determine procedures and instructions to be followed, according to design specifications and quantity of required materials.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
66% said they were satisfied with their job and 48% said they found their job meaningful.
I am one of the architectural drafters at Passion Plans, a growing set of platforms offering house plans to aspiring house builders.
Turning designs into actual drawings: One of the main responsibilities I have is to work with a set of really talented architects and turning their vision into the actual drawings that are going up on the platform. Besides that, I also help make sure that design alterations that come in are managed in ways that stay true to the initial design and feel of a home while maintaining compliance with building codes.
Flexibility to do my work when I want: Suffering from insomnia, I appreciate that I can mostly do this work at all hours of the day, whether that means I am up working on a design at 3 am.
Understanding of software: Architectural drafting also gives me the option to both live out my creative side as well as my passion for software and computers, where I feel this role offers me a good amount of both.
On the downside, when I disagree on the changes, I often don’t have the final say on the changes. Whether it is a customer or an architect, there are definitely times when I don’t feel the final design is true to the vision I had for the project.
Pros
Suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Suitable for people who wants job security and a good working condition.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Architectural Drafters with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $36,590 to $45,770 per year or $18 to $22 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $83,740 | $40 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $70,170 | $34 |
| Median | $57,500 | $28 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $45,770 | $22 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $36,590 | $18 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Architectural Drafters based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | $89480 | $43.02 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $75460 | $36.28 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $74340 | $35.74 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | $73090 | $35.14 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $72840 | $35.02 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $71210 | $34.24 |
| Telecommunications | $70130 | $33.72 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $68210 | $32.79 |
| Software Publishers | $67960 | $32.68 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $66050 | $31.76 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Architectural Drafters work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Architectural Drafters including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 73820 | $59260 | $28.49 |
| Residential Building Construction | 2390 | $57080 | $27.44 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 2150 | $61240 | $29.44 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 2060 | $63260 | $30.41 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 1500 | $54190 | $26.05 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 1310 | $53490 | $25.71 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 1230 | $54650 | $26.27 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 1220 | $60090 | $28.89 |
| Local Government | 1090 | $61620 | $29.62 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 870 | $63360 | $30.46 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
3D Modeling and Design Technology
Drafting and Design Technology
CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology
Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD
Civil Drafting and Civil Engineering CAD/CADD
Architectural Engineering Technologies
Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
Architectural Technology
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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