What does an autocad drafter do?
An Autocad Drafter develops drawings and plans for the construction and manufacturing industries. They use various types of computer-aided design and drafting software.
Autocad drafter responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real autocad drafter resumes:
- Update mechanical drawings per engineering change orders using AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
- Create as-built drawings for security systems using AutoCAD
- Produce complete architectural drawings for several residential projects, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing construction documents.
- Create and maintain BOM for each job design
- Used GIS mapping coordinates systems to ensure point accuracy.
- Create designs consisting of fire alarm systems using AutoCAD MEP.
- Prepare elevations and cut sheets for current and future projects.
- Create construction details, sections and construction documents in Revit structure.
- Coordinate systems including electrical, plumbing, lighting, fire alarm and HVAC
- Receive AutoCAD files & create a standard set of layers require to load data into AM/FM GIS.
- Take the flat assembly pieces and program them to the CNC router machine to be cut and assemble.
- Design and draft architect s and engineer s renderings into working plans, elevations, sections and details.
- Produce elevation and detail drawings of aluminum doors and windows for the customer's viewing and for manufacturing purposes.
- Draw and design custom high end mahogany, teak and other species wood windows and doors in AutoCAD2012 for production.
- Perform drainage area and storm water management calculations.
Autocad drafter skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Autocad Drafters are proficient in Construction Drawings, Layout Drawings, and Revit. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Autocad Drafters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Construction Drawings, 12%
Review RF data sheets and extraction information to be incorporated into construction drawings
- Layout Drawings, 8%
Provide Electrical layout drawings entailing networking and conduit placement.
- Revit, 8%
Mastered free-hand sketch techniques, blueprints, AutoCAD and REVIT to create Mechanical and Electrical system designs.
- Shop Drawings, 7%
Generated shop drawings for very high-end residential projects, including field measurement and project coordination.
- GIS, 5%
Combined plat maps to create GIS, Overview, and As-Built maps according to the requirements of the clients.
- Auto CAD, 5%
Used Auto Cad 2014 Mechanical for drawings and to calculate area measurements for upcoming projects and production.
"construction drawings," "layout drawings," and "revit" are among the most common skills that autocad drafters use at work. You can find even more autocad drafter responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an autocad drafter to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "drafters must be able to turn plans and ideas into technical drawings of buildings, tools, and systems." Autocad drafters often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "created engineering drawings using autodesk inventor. "
Detail oriented. Many autocad drafter duties rely on detail oriented. "drafters must take care that the plans they convert are technically accurate according to the outlined specifications.," so an autocad drafter will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways autocad drafter responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "produced detailed construction drawings using field survey data. "
Technical skills. autocad drafters are also known for technical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to autocad drafter responsibilities, because "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)." An autocad drafter resume example shows how technical skills is used in the workplace: "assisted in field surveys, inspections and technical investigations to obtain data required to revise construction drawings. "
Time-management skills. A big part of what autocad drafters do relies on "time-management skills." You can see how essential it is to autocad drafter responsibilities because "drafters often work under deadline." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical autocad drafter tasks: "create new and revise existing electrical schematics within time deadlines for yacht customers. "
Math skills. A commonly-found skill in autocad drafter job descriptions, "math skills" is essential to what autocad drafters do. Autocad drafter responsibilities rely on this skill because "drafters work on technical drawings." You can also see how autocad drafter duties rely on math skills in this resume example: "calculated monthly mine totals by using survcadd computations and advanced math calculations. "
The three companies that hire the most autocad drafters are:
- Black & Veatch27 autocad drafters jobs
- Parsons10 autocad drafters jobs
- Kelly Services5 autocad drafters jobs
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Compare different autocad drafters
Autocad drafter vs. Cadd operator
A computer-aided design (CAD) designer is responsible for creating plan outlines and project designs for a specific business need. A CAD designer utilizes various technologies and software applications to generate graphic illustrations. CAD designers must have strong knowledge of the technology designs, software management, engineering standards, and the construction industry fundamentals. CAD designers label their works with appropriate dimensions and specifications, performing necessary adjustments to meet the clients' needs. A CAD designer requires excellent critical-thinking and analytical skills to manage design structures and creative solutions.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between autocad drafters and cadd operator. For instance, autocad drafter responsibilities require skills such as "layout drawings," "solidworks," "fabrication drawings," and "mechanical drawings." Whereas a cadd operator is skilled in "civil engineering," "plumbing," "survey data," and "auto cadd." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, cadd operators reach similar levels of education than autocad drafters. Cadd operators are 3.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Autocad drafter vs. Computer aided design designer
A mechanical designer is responsible for designing mechanical equipment and devices, together with the engineers and other technology professionals. Mechanical designers create layouts following the clients' specifications, perform structural analysis, and analyze dimensions to ensure quality. They also inspect overall equipment performance and recommend adjustments as needed to improve its quality and boost optimization. Mechanical designers assist with installation and system upgrades, respond with the clients' inquiries and concerns, and escalate it to the appropriate personnel for resolution. A mechanical designer must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical and technology industry to build designs according to the highest standards.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, autocad drafter responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "layout drawings," "solidworks," "gps," and "autodesk." Meanwhile, a computer aided design designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "bim," "mechanical design," "product development," and "gd." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Computer aided design designers may earn a higher salary than autocad drafters, but computer aided design designers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $79,713. On the other hand, autocad drafters receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $45,111.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Computer aided design designers tend to reach similar levels of education than autocad drafters. In fact, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Autocad drafter vs. Mechanical designer
The job of architectural interns is to assist an architect with all aspects of architectural work. Their duties and responsibilities may include maintaining project files, conducting research on construction sites such as zoning laws and regulations, and preparing presentations for clients. They are also expected to create 3D models and do drafting. The skills and qualifications required for this role include a degree in architecture or a related field, in-depth knowledge of 3D modeling software such as Autodesk and AutoCAD, and hand drafting skills.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from autocad drafter resumes include skills like "construction drawings," "gis," "solidworks," and "gps," whereas a mechanical designer is more likely to list skills in "mechanical design," "creo," "design software," and "plumbing. "
Mechanical designers make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $66,900. On the other hand, autocad drafters are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $45,111.Most mechanical designers achieve a similar degree level compared to autocad drafters. For example, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Autocad drafter vs. Architectural internship
Types of autocad drafter
Updated January 8, 2025
