What does an architectural technician do?
Architectural technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real architectural technician resumes:
- Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
- Train employees on Revit basics and provide AutoCad support.
- Work with architects and project managers to produce 3d models and detail drawings for various types of large facilities using Revit.
- Prepare and administer construction documents MEP and blue prints using computer assist draw software and other computer applications.
- Edit and render high quality video animation to provide the story frame-by-frame of modeling and surroundings.
Architectural technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 30% of Architectural Technicians are proficient in Sketch, Revit, 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 Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Sketch, 30%
Cooperated with consultants to sketch and draft documents for customer evaluation to troubleshoot layout parameters.
- Revit, 23%
Work with architects and project managers to produce 3d models and detailed drawings for various types of large facilities using Revit.
- Construction Drawings, 8%
Worked with Project Managers coordinating new construction drawings for residential and hotel properties.
- BIM, 5%
Transformed initial project design proposals into articulate BIM models -Produced presentations and graphic communication material for clients and management.
- Design Development, 5%
Prepared documentation for schematic design, design development and construction documents phases using CAD and traditional drafting.
- Architectural Drawings, 4%
Prepared architectural drawings, wrote specifications, and developed government cost estimates for renovations to Base facilities.
Most architectural technicians use their skills in "sketch," "revit," and "construction drawings" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential architectural technician responsibilities here:
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for an architectural technician 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 technician resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "assist landscape architects with graphic design, surveying, site inventory and analysis, and administrative task around the office. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform architectural technician duties is detail oriented. Architectural technicians responsibilities require that "drafters must take care that the plans they convert are technically accurate according to the outlined specifications." Architectural technicians also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "established drawing standards and standard details to more efficiently develop construction drawings. "
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of architectural technicians is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday architectural technician duties, as "drafters work on technical drawings." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "output file gathers statistics like cache hit rate, mesi state, and lru state of cache lines with snoop response. "
Technical skills. architectural technician 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 technicians do with technical skills on a typical day: "prepare shop drawings, graphic presentation and provide technical guidance to junior staff. "
Time-management skills. A commonly-found skill in architectural technician job descriptions, "time-management skills" is essential to what architectural technicians do. Architectural technician responsibilities rely on this skill because "drafters often work under deadline." You can also see how architectural technician duties rely on time-management skills in this resume example: "lead intern in production of construction documents and rfi's to meet client deadlines on time. "
The three companies that hire the most architectural technicians are:
- Microsoft32 architectural technicians jobs
- Larson Design Group10 architectural technicians jobs
- Freddie Mac5 architectural technicians jobs
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Compare different architectural technicians
Architectural technician vs. Autocad designer
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between architectural technicians and autocad designer. For instance, architectural technician responsibilities require skills such as "bim," "design development," "construction administration," and "presentation materials." Whereas a autocad designer is skilled in "elevations," "drawing packages," "solidworks," and "shop drawings." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Autocad designers really shine in the construction industry with an average salary of $57,565. Comparatively, architectural technicians tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $109,201.The education levels that autocad designers earn slightly differ from architectural technicians. In particular, autocad designers are 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an architectural technician. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Architectural technician vs. Drafting internship
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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, architectural technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "construction administration," "presentation materials," "architectural design," and "design proposals." Meanwhile, a drafting internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "solidworks," "engineering drawings," "technical drawings," and "shop drawings." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, drafting interns earn a lower salary than architectural technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, drafting interns earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $47,037. Whereas architectural technicians have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $109,201.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Drafting interns tend to reach similar levels of education than architectural technicians. In fact, they're 4.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for architectural technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Dak Kopec Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Coordinator, BA Interior Architecture and Design and Master of Design Program, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas
Architectural technician vs. Cadd operator
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from architectural technician resumes include skills like "sketch," "bim," "design development," and "construction administration," whereas a cadd operator is more likely to list skills in "cost estimates," "plumbing," "survey data," and "auto cadd. "
Most cadd operators achieve a lower degree level compared to architectural technicians. For example, they're 7.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Architectural technician vs. Draftsman/designer
Types of architectural technician
Updated January 8, 2025
