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Job Description | Duties | Working Conditions
Educational Requirements | Outlook | Salary
Related Clusters:
Architecture and Construction
Job Description: Architectural drafters help architects and engineers design plans for buildings and other structures. They prepare sketches or blueprints for clients and building contractors under the direct supervision of an architect. They may specialize by the type of structure, such as residential or commercial, or by the kind of material used, such as reinforced concrete, masonry, steel, or timber. Their drawings provide visual guidelines, showing the technical details of the structures and specifying dimensions, materials to be used, and procedures and processes to be followed. Drafters fill in technical details, using drawings, specifications, codes, and calculations previously made by engineers, surveyors, architects, or scientists.
Duties: The work of architectural drafters depends on their training, experience, and ability. They may perform some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare sketches or blueprints from rough drawings given to them by architects
- Make calculations, prepare computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) drawings, and check compliance with ordinances
- Prepare check-list from blueprints
- Estimate what materials will be needed to construct buildings
- Estimate the total costs of projects
For detailed information on tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, work activities, work contexts, job zones, interests, work styles, work values, and related occupations visit the O*Net Online, a division of the National Center for Occupational Information.
Working Conditions: Architectural drafters may work for large architectural firms or for private architects. They generally work in comfortable office settings that are well-lighted. They may be required to visit a construction site. A normal work week consists of 40 hours.
Educational Requirements: Completion of two years of training beyond graduation from high school is required for this job. Employers are most interested in applicants who have well-developed drafting and mechanical drawing skills; a knowledge of drafting standards, mathematics, science, and engineering technology; and a solid background in computer-aided drafting and design techniques. In addition, communication and problem-solving skills are important. Individuals planning careers in drafting should take courses in math, science, computer technology, design or computer graphics, and any high school drafting courses available. Mechanical ability and visual aptitude also are important. Prospective drafters should be able to draw three-dimensional objects as well as draw freehand. They also should do detailed work accurately and neatly. Artistic ability is helpful in some specialized fields, as is knowledge of manufacturing and construction methods. In addition, prospective drafters should have good interpersonal skills because they work closely with engineers, surveyors, architects, other professionals, and sometimes customers. On-the-job training is often provided for all new architectural drafters. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Trade and Industrial Education Standards, Competency Profiles, and Resource Links online.
Outlook: Employment of architectural drafters is strongly tied to the level of local construction. The estimated number of architectural and civil drafters in Tennessee is 1,380. It is projected there will be an increase in this occupation of 9 percent through the year 2012 with 50 job openings annually. For additional information on this occupation, visit the nationally recognized Occupational Outlook Handbook online.
| 10% | 25% | Median- 50% | 75% | 90% | |
| TN Annual | $25,930 | $31,880 | $37,520 | $48,720 | $63,760 |
| US Annual | $27,010 | $33,550 | $41,960 | $52,220 | $63,310 |
*Some salaries are listed at an hourly rate. Those that include a single dollar amount are considered hourly wage.
Wage and salary data provided by:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
- TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
- Bureau of Economic Analysis website
For an explanation of salary data please visit acinet.org
Last updated on: January 23, 2008