Career: Drafters
You’ve probably heard of Leonardo da Vinci as the artist who painted the Mona Lisa. But did you know that he was also a highly skilled draftsman? An engineer, scientist, and architect, da Vinci produced many more drafts of his scientific ideas than actual paintings. His notebooks contain designs for mechanical weapons, diving suits, seacraft, and a flying machine.
Today’s drafters have it a lot easier than da Vinci did in the fifteenth century. Computers allow drafters to change their drawings, make copies, and fill in details in seconds. They can make 3-D models and preview the whole construction process. That’s a big help when you’re making plans for everything from bridges and skyscrapers to toys and toasters.
Drafters create technical drawings and plans that are used in construction, architecture, and engineering. Their drawings show details and dimensions, explain procedures, and list materials.
Did You Know?
- The word drafting comes from the Middle English word draught, meaning “to draw” or “pull.”
Are You Ready To...?
- Turn ideas into images
- Spend your day at a computer
- Make exact measurements
- Estimate quantities
- Explain your plans to builders
- Keep up with new technology
- Work as part of a team
It Helps to Be...
A computer fan who likes working with details and could spend all day drawing. You’ll need to turn words into drawings, so it helps to have a mind that can picture the final product.
Make High School Count
- Get in as much math as you can, including algebra, geometry, calculus, and statistics.
- Take art classes. Even though, as a drafter, you’ll work on computers most of the time, drawing skills will come in very handy.
- Take shop class to get a feel for how machines work.
- Join the stage crew and help design and build sets for the school play.
- Get a summer job in construction so you can understand how buildings are put together.
- Take computer classes, especially computer-assisted drafting and design (CADD).
“The number of industries and fields in which CADD is used continues to expand, as does the use of technical drawings and models in the production process.”
Paul Clarke, Lead Instructor, Drafting and Engineering Technology, MiraCosta College
Outlook
Government economists expect job growth for drafters to be slower than the average for all careers through 2016. Most job openings will result from the retirement of experienced drafters.
Drafters with high-level CADD skills and a good technical background should find the best opportunities.
Compensation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the average yearly earnings of drafters in 2008 as follows:
- Architectural and civil drafters: $46,390
- Electrical and electronics drafters: $53,770
- Mechanical drafters: $48,600
