Occupation · SOC 17-3012
Electrical and Electronics Drafters
Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.
Median wage
$73,720
$48,680–$110,180
Projected growth
-5.6%
Declining
Annual openings
-120
per year
Employed (US)
20,020
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
717 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingWritingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionSpeakingActive Learning
Knowledge areas
DesignEngineering and TechnologyComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageMathematics
Technology & tools
Computer aided manufacturing CAM softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareProject management softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Representative tasks
Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications, or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets to be checked by an engineer or an architect.Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.Measure factors that affect installation and arrangement of equipment, such as distances to be spanned by wire and cable.Design electrical systems, such as lighting systems.Draw master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to existing facilities and exact specifications and dimensions.Review work orders or procedural manuals and confer with vendors or design staff to resolve problems or modify design.Locate files relating to specified design project in database library, load program into computer, and record completed job data.Examine electronic schematics and supporting documents to develop, compute, and verify specifications for drafting data, such as configuration of parts, dimensions, or tolerances.Compare logic element configuration on display screen with engineering schematics and calculate figures to convert, redesign, or modify element.Review blueprints to determine customer requirements and consult with assembler regarding schematics, wiring procedures, or conductor paths.Study work order requests to determine type of service, such as lighting or power, demanded by installation.Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments, as necessary.Reproduce working drawings on copy machines or trace drawings in ink.Generate computer tapes of final layout design to produce layered photo masks or photo plotting design onto film.Determine the order of work and the method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.Visit proposed installation sites and draw rough sketches of location.Key and program specified commands and engineering specifications into computer system to change functions and test final layout.Copy drawings of printed circuit board fabrication using print machine or blueprinting procedure.Select drill size to drill test head, according to test design and specifications, and submit guide layout to designated department.Plot electrical test points on layout sheets and draw schematics for wiring test fixture heads to frames.Write technical reports and draw charts that display statistics and data.Supervise and coordinate work activities of workers engaged in drafting, designing layouts, assembling, or testing printed circuit boards.Train students to use drafting machines and to prepare schematic diagrams, block diagrams, control drawings, logic diagrams, integrated circuit drawings, or interconnection diagrams.Prepare and interpret specifications, calculating weights, volumes, or stress factors.Supervise or train other technologists, technicians, or drafters.Use computer-aided drafting equipment or conventional drafting stations, technical handbooks, tables, calculators, or traditional drafting tools, such as boards, pencils, protractors, or T-squares.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic CAD software commands and drafting tools — apply under direct supervision to produce simple electrical component drawings in a production drafting environment.Standard drafting symbols and notation conventions — recognize and use when labeling elementary wiring diagrams under technician or engineer guidance.Detail drawings of basic design components — draft using computer-assisted equipment following established templates on an entry-level drafting assignment.Documentation packages for simple projects — assemble and organize under supervision so completed drawing sets are ready for engineer review.Wiring diagrams and connection specifications — reproduce from marked-up sketches provided by engineers, following standard formatting protocols.Engineering and technology terminology — read and interpret in technical instructions and design briefs to carry out assigned drafting tasks.Measurements for wire and cable runs — record accurately under direction using standard measuring instruments at a job site or from as-built plans.CAD layer structures and file-naming conventions — follow consistently to maintain drawing set organization within a shared project directory.Drafting errors and omissions — identify in own work by cross-checking against provided specifications before submitting drawings for review.Time and task priorities — manage under supervisor guidance to meet basic project milestones in a structured drafting office setting.
developing
Detail and assembly drawings of multi-component circuitry — draft with minimal oversight using CAD software, applying firm drafting standards on commercial or industrial projects.Working drawings and cross-sections of underground cable installations — produce independently, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and installation crew requirements.Wiring connection specifications and conduit routing diagrams — develop from engineer-supplied design concepts for routine electrical system projects.Completed construction drawings — review for accuracy and conformity to applicable standards and regulations, flagging discrepancies for engineering resolution.Drawing sets and documentation packages — compile and coordinate so that all components are consistent, complete, and ready for architect or engineer sign-off.Design requirements and clarifications — gather by consulting directly with engineers or architects to resolve ambiguities in working drawing assignments.Engineering staff and technical personnel — confer with routinely to troubleshoot drafting or design conflicts encountered during active project production.Graphics and photo-imaging software — use to prepare presentation-quality exhibits and schematic overlays supporting client submittals.Project files and revision histories — maintain within ERP or project management software to ensure traceability of drawing changes across project phases.Geographic and spatial factors affecting equipment layout — evaluate using GIS tools or scaled site plans to inform placement decisions in moderate-complexity electrical designs.
proficient
Full drawing sets for complex electrical and electronics systems — produce autonomously, managing CAD drafting and quality control across all project phases in industrial or large commercial environments.Non-standard wiring configurations and circuit board assemblies — draft and resolve independently, applying advanced CAD and analytical software to handle design exceptions.Lighting systems and other complete electrical system designs — develop from conceptual input, translating engineering intent into code-compliant, construction-ready documents.Cost estimate documentation — review critically against construction drawings to verify scope alignment, flagging discrepancies before project authorization.Design concept discussions with engineers — lead proactively, synthesizing technical input to determine detailed drawing requirements for complex or novel installations.Cross-functional problems involving installation conflicts, code changes, or design revisions — resolve by coordinating engineering, construction, and regulatory stakeholders.Cable span distances, load paths, and equipment clearances — measure and calculate independently, integrating results into precise working drawings for installation crews.CAD and CAM software environments — configure and optimize to support efficient drawing production workflows for the drafting team on multi-discipline projects.Drawing accuracy and regulatory conformity — evaluate systematically across entire project sets, applying critical thinking to identify systemic errors before construction release.Technical reports and written specifications — author clearly to communicate design decisions, deviation justifications, and revision histories to engineering and project management staff.
advanced
Organizational drafting standards and CAD template libraries — establish and maintain to govern electrical drawing production quality across all projects and personnel in the firm.Drafting team competency development — lead through mentoring, structured on-the-job training, and performance feedback, elevating the collective capability of junior and mid-level drafters.Complex multi-discipline electrical and electronics projects — oversee from design initiation through construction release, directing drawing production strategy and resource allocation.Interdepartmental workflows between engineering, drafting, and construction — design and implement to reduce rework, improve drawing set accuracy, and shorten project delivery cycles.Regulatory and industry standards compliance programs — champion by interpreting code updates and integrating requirements into firm-wide drafting practices and quality review protocols.Technology adoption decisions for CAD, CAM, GIS, and ERP platforms — evaluate and direct, ensuring the drafting department maintains current, efficient toolsets aligned with business objectives.Cost estimate and constructability review processes — lead at the project or portfolio level, collaborating with engineers and project managers to validate technical accuracy and feasibility.Client and stakeholder technical presentations — deliver at project milestone reviews, translating complex electrical system designs into accessible visual and written communications.Strategic quality assurance frameworks for drawing production — develop and enforce to ensure conformity to national electrical codes and client specifications across all project types.Knowledge-sharing programs and best-practice documentation — create and institutionalize so that lessons learned in complex electrical drafting projects are captured and applied organization-wide.
Also known as
80 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Computer-Aided Drafting and Design DesignerEngineering Helper (Air Force 3E511)Electrical Systems DrafterPrinted Circuit Board Drafter (PCB Drafter)Electrical DesignerCAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter)Engineer Senior Sergeant (Army 12A)Electronic DrafterAutoCAD TechnicianConstruction Engineering Technician (Army 120A)EM-Electrician's Mate (Navy EM)DesignerComputer-Aided Drafting and Design OperatorDrafterSystems DesignerComputer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer)Electrical Systems (Air Force 3E0X1)Test Fixture DesignerElectrical Design TechnicianSupervisor, Estimator and DrafterSupervisor, Drafting and Printed Circuit DesignElectrical Systems Helper (Air Force 3E011)Electronics Specialty (Coast Guard ELC)Electromechanisms Design DrafterDesign Technician, Computer-AidedAutoCAD DrafterAnalog Integrated Circuits Design Engineer (Analog IC Design Engineer)Electrical Controls DesignerElectromechanical Design DrafterPrinted Circuit Board Layout Designer (PCB Layout Designer)Electrical Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Technician (Electrical CADD Tech)IC Layout Designer (Integrated Circuit Layout Designer)Engineering Aid (Navy EA)CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman)CADD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Drafter)Estimator and DrafterElectrical Systems Apprentice (Air Force 3E031)Electrician (Marine Corps 1141)Mask DesignerPrinted Circuit Board Draftsman (PCB Draftsman)