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What does an architectural draftsman do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

An Architectural Draftsman uses computers to model the shape and dimensions of proposed buildings and the systems within buildings. They generally work under the supervision of architects and engineers.

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Architectural draftsman responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real architectural draftsman resumes:

  • Manage and supervise other draftsmen.
  • Use Revit to model complete 3D homes.
  • Used Revit 2010 and AutoCAD 2010 to create drawings
  • Coordinate drawings with MEP consultants, field measuring & drawing as-built plans.
  • Measure and sketch on site for the purpose of drafting as built plans.
  • Include in these documents are structural, electrical and some HVAC & plumbing systems.
  • Draft floor plans, cross sections, elevations, MEP, detail drawings, etc.
  • Create isometric elevations to assist in architectural sketch development.
  • Work closely with resident CNC operators and sheet metal fabricators to ensure reliable and satisfactory part manufacture.
  • Utilize AutoCAD to develop alignment sheets from field survey notes and customize digital GIS files to create presentation maps.
  • Lease purchase report plats, use and possession plats, abstract plats, map updates all complete with auto-cad and GIS.
  • Skil in detailing and preparing BOM for internal compressor parts to accompany drawings, and increase shop flow.
  • Wire and component sizing, compiling BOM's, revising drawings and processing engineering change notices (ECN's).
  • Edit and render high quality video animation to provide the story frame-by-frame of modeling and surroundings.

Architectural draftsman skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Architectural Draftsmen are proficient in Revit, Shop Drawings, and Construction Drawings. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Architectural Draftsmen that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Revit, 12%

    Provided BIM support using Revit Architecture 2008 in the most exciting and challenging project of my career.

  • Shop Drawings, 9%

    Analyzed, revised & updated shop drawing using Auto CAD, which is corresponds to comments of consultant & head architect.

  • Construction Drawings, 8%

    Job Responsibility: Responsible for complete Architectural construction drawing sets for Electrical Power Plants.

  • Architectural Drawings, 7%

    Prepared architectural drawings for new construction, renovations on Commercial and Residential projects.

  • Sketch, 4%

    Review AUTOCAD 2007 file and construct Sketch Up model.

  • Commercial Buildings, 4%

    Prepare building drawings for clients to include residential and all types of commercial buildings.

Common skills that an architectural draftsman uses to do their job include "revit," "shop drawings," and "construction drawings." You can find details on the most important architectural draftsman responsibilities below.

Creativity. The most essential soft skill for an architectural draftsman to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "drafters must be able to turn plans and ideas into technical drawings of buildings, tools, and systems." Additionally, an architectural draftsman resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "create detail and assembly drawings using autocad 2010 and inventor software. "

Detail oriented. Many architectural draftsman duties rely on detail oriented. "drafters must take care that the plans they convert are technically accurate according to the outlined specifications.," so an architectural draftsman will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways architectural draftsman responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "coordinated construction drawings and details. "

Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of architectural draftsmen is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday architectural draftsman duties, as "drafters work on technical drawings." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "worked with construction drawings and designed with 3d geometry. "

Technical skills. architectural draftsman responsibilities often require "technical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "drafters in all specialties must be able to use computer software, such as cad, and work with database tools, such as building information modeling (bim)." This resume example shows what architectural draftsmen do with technical skills on a typical day: "prepared construction documents for cost estimates, bidding stage and technical reports. "

Time-management skills. Another common skill required for architectural draftsman responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of architectural draftsmen all the time, as "drafters often work under deadline." An excerpt from a real architectural draftsman resume shows how this skill is central to what an architectural draftsman does: "managed a team of two designers, tracked the design process of the project and met budget requirements and scheduled deadlines. "

See the full list of architectural draftsman skills

The three companies that hire the most architectural draftsmans are:

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Compare different architectural draftsmen

Architectural draftsman vs. Cadd operator

A truss designer's major responsibility is to design layouts for floors and roofs. They work with architects and engineers to ensure the feasibility of new designs. They also develop schematics through computer-aided design (CAD) software. They are required to work on layouts for roofs and flooring for both residential and commercial buildings.

We looked at the average architectural draftsman salary and compared it with the wages of a cadd operator. Generally speaking, cadd operators are paid $5,911 lower than architectural draftsmen per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both architectural draftsman and cadd operator positions are skilled in revit, shop drawings, and construction drawings.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an architectural draftsman are more likely to require skills like "sketch," "exterior elevations," "residential buildings," and "design development." On the other hand, a job as a cadd operator requires skills like "civil engineering," "plumbing," "survey data," and "auto cadd." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Cadd operators tend to reach similar levels of education than architectural draftsmen. In fact, cadd operators are 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Architectural draftsman vs. Truss designer

Drafting interns perform jobs like designing engineering drawings and visual aids, forming the detailed layout execution of distinct mechanical parts, resolve design problems in BIM models and visual presentations. Also, the pattern of new products, alter existing products using SOLIDWORKS, estimate the shipboard pipe systems, and develop a superficial model of NIDA glider using CATIA V5. Additionally, they aid field technicians in gathering field information points with GPS units, counsel less experience BIM designers in discrete parts of the country through the phone, and enhance drawings in both Revit and AutoCAD in line with the instructions provided by the architect.

On average, truss designers earn a $1,516 lower salary than architectural draftsmen a year.A few skills overlap for architectural draftsmen and truss designers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "shop drawings," "architectural drawings," and "commercial buildings. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, architectural draftsman responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "revit," "construction drawings," "sketch," and "design drawings." Meanwhile, a truss designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "mitek," "design software," "auto cad," and "layout design." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Truss designers earn similar levels of education than architectural draftsmen in general. They're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Architectural draftsman vs. Drafting internship

Typically working in the construction and manufacturing industry, an AutoCAD designer specializes in designing and developing 2D and 3D drawings using AutoCAD software. It is their duty to coordinate with architects and engineers to discuss ideas and project needs, create and prepare designs for client approval, generate models through the AutoCAD software, and prepare progress reports and presentations for the clients. Furthermore, as an AutoCAD designer, it is essential to adhere to the company's standards and regulations, especially the clients' vision.

On average, drafting interns earn lower salaries than architectural draftsmen, with a $10,098 difference per year.By looking over several architectural draftsmen and drafting interns resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "revit," "shop drawings," and "construction drawings." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an architectural draftsman is likely to be skilled in "design concepts," "exterior elevations," "residential buildings," and "office buildings," while a typical drafting internship is skilled in "powerpoint," "solidworks," "technical drawings," and "creo."

Drafting interns earn the highest salary when working in the energy industry, where they receive an average salary of $47,037. Comparatively, architectural draftsmen have the highest earning potential in the construction industry, with an average salary of $54,834.Most drafting interns achieve a similar degree level compared to architectural draftsmen. For example, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Architectural draftsman vs. Autocad designer

Autocad designers typically earn higher pay than architectural draftsmen. On average, autocad designers earn a $3,404 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, architectural draftsmen and autocad designers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "revit," "shop drawings," and "construction drawings. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between architectural draftsmen and autocad designers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an architectural draftsman might have more use for skills like "design concepts," "exterior elevations," "design development," and "office buildings." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of autocad designers require skills like "auto cad," "civil engineering," "elevations," and "gis. "

Autocad designers enjoy the best pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $57,565. For comparison, architectural draftsmen earn the highest salary in the construction industry.autocad designers reach similar levels of education compared to architectural draftsmen, in general. The difference is that they're 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of architectural draftsman

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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