Occupation · SOC 17-3019
Drafters, All Other
All drafters not listed separately.
Median wage
$62,010
$42,170–$96,620
Projected growth
-7.0%
Declining
Annual openings
-120
per year
Employed (US)
16,010
Job Zone —
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingWritingJudgment and Decision MakingMathematics
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyMathematicsDesignComputers and ElectronicsEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareData base user interface and query softwareData base management system software
Representative tasks
Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.Interpret the results of all methods of non-destructive testing (NDT), such as acoustic emission, electromagnetic, leak, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, neutron radiographic, radiographic, thermal or infrared, ultrasonic, vibration analysis, and visual testing.Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques.Make radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact.Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results.Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials.Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.Visually examine materials, structures, or components for signs of corrosion, metal fatigue, cracks, or other flaws, using tools and equipment such as endoscopes, closed-circuit television systems, and fiber optics.Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.Examine structures or vehicles such as aircraft, trains, nuclear reactors, bridges, dams, and pipelines, using non-destructive testing techniques.Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results.Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.Produce images of objects on film, using radiographic techniques.Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.Supervise or direct the work of non-destructive testing trainees or staff.Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Scale drawings — produce using computer-aided design software under direct supervisor guidance in a drafting studio.Drafting templates and layer standards — apply following established office protocols on entry-level architectural projects.Basic construction plan components — identify and label under direction while reviewing senior-drafter markups.Client functional requirements — record and organize during supervised intake meetings for small commercial or residential structures.Design software file management — maintain using document management software according to department naming conventions.Material and equipment schedules — compile from provided specifications under close oversight on straightforward building projects.Reading Comprehension — interpret technical drawings and written specifications under supervision to support drafting assignments.Mathematics — apply basic geometry and measurement calculations to verify dimensions on routine scale drawings.Graphics software tools — use photo imaging and desktop publishing applications to produce simple visual representations of design elements.Drafting errors — recognize and flag common inconsistencies in line weights, dimensions, or annotations for supervisor review.
developing
Construction plans — develop with limited oversight by integrating structural details and aesthetic representations for mid-size building projects.Scale drawings and architectural designs — prepare autonomously using CAD software, adapting standard office templates to project-specific requirements.Design specifications packages — assemble including materials, color selections, and estimated cost data for routine client submittals.Client consultations — participate in and document functional and spatial requirements, translating input into draft design concepts.Database query tools — use to retrieve project records, material libraries, and prior design files to support active drafting work.Critical Thinking — evaluate competing design options against code requirements and client criteria on familiar project types.Active Listening — accurately capture and reflect client or engineer feedback during review meetings to refine drawing sets.Drawing revisions — manage across multiple project phases using document management software with minimal supervisory intervention.Engineering and Technology knowledge — apply to verify that drafted structural details align with mechanical and production specifications.Cost and material estimates — calculate using standard unit pricing and quantity take-offs for typical construction assemblies.
proficient
Final construction plan sets — develop independently, balancing structural integrity, aesthetic representation, and regulatory compliance for complex projects.Architectural designs — produce across full project scope using advanced CAD environments, resolving non-routine spatial or structural conflicts without escalation.Comprehensive specification documents — author covering design intent, material selections, equipment requirements, color schedules, and estimated costs for client approval.Client requirements — consult on directly, translating ambiguous functional and spatial needs into precise, buildable design solutions.Complex Problem Solving — diagnose and resolve multi-system drafting conflicts—structural, mechanical, and architectural—within tight project deadlines.Development environment software — configure and customize to streamline drafting workflows and maintain drawing standard compliance across a project portfolio.Judgment and Decision Making — select appropriate materials, scales, and detailing strategies to meet project budget and performance targets.Physics and mechanical principles — apply when drafting load-bearing details or equipment integration drawings to ensure technical accuracy.Writing — produce clear technical narratives and specification sections that communicate design intent unambiguously to contractors and engineers.Quality control reviews — conduct on completed drawing packages, verifying dimensional accuracy, code conformance, and inter-discipline coordination.
advanced
Drafting standards and CAD protocols — establish and enforce organization-wide to ensure consistency, quality, and regulatory compliance across all projects.Junior and mid-level drafters — mentor and evaluate, structuring on-the-job learning plans aligned with Job Zone 3 skill development milestones.Strategic project workflows — design by integrating document management, database, and development environment platforms to maximize drafting department efficiency.Complex client relationships — lead at the organizational level, translating high-level program requirements into multi-phase construction documentation strategies.Organizational drawing production standards — develop, publish, and continuously improve based on evolving industry codes, software capabilities, and client expectations.Cross-disciplinary coordination — direct between architectural, structural, mechanical, and civil drafting teams to resolve systemic design conflicts on large-scale projects.Bid and cost estimation frameworks — oversee, ensuring that material, equipment, and construction cost data embedded in drawing sets meet contractual and budget constraints.Intellectual Curiosity — champion adoption of emerging drafting technologies and design methodologies to sustain organizational competitive advantage.Proposal and technical writing — lead for high-value contracts, articulating the firm's drafting capabilities, quality standards, and project approach to prospective clients.Performance metrics for drafting operations — define and monitor, using data-driven insights to guide staffing, workload allocation, and process improvement initiatives.
Also known as
32 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Geological DrafterMarine DrafterCAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator)AutoCAD TechnicianDrawing TracerCommercial DrafterLaboratory WorkerSteel DetailerDrafting EngineerDrafting Layout WorkerUtilities Estimator and DrafterHull DrafterDrafter ApprenticeDraughtsmanChief DrafterDrafter, Chief, DesignComputer DrafterDetail DrafterEngineering DrafterBlueprint TracerDetailerForm DesignerJob CaptainDrawing CheckerDrafting DetailerCAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman)Chief Design DrafterTracerDrafting Layout ManEngineering TechnicianCAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer)Blueprint Engineer