Designs arrive from the designer. I build space in 3d, make material objects, create lighting, render, do post-production, receive massive praise from client, and go home.
CAREER
Architectural and Civil Drafters
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$57,500
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-2.5% (decline)
Most Common Level of Education
Associate's degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Architectural and 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.
Other Job Titles Architectural and Civil Drafters May Have
Architectural Designer, Architectural Drafter, Architectural Draftsman, Civil Drafter, Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer), Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer), Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Drafter (CADD Drafter), Drafting Technician, Draftsman, Draftsperson
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- 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.
- Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
- Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Architectural and Civil Drafters
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Associate's degree (33%)
Some college, no degree
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Graduate
Architecture
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Self motivated production practice. Learn 3d and 2d software. study photography and architecture. Keep current with interior design. Be a nice person to work with! Accept criticism well and build on the feedback from others who are more experienced than yourself.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
Talk with industry professionals in your area. It's a very welcoming profession, just reach out and demonstrate your enthusiasm, it will be reciprocated.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
