How to hire a civil drafter

How to hire a civil drafter, step by step

Here's a step-by-step civil drafter hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a civil drafter job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new civil drafter
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a civil drafter, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A civil drafter's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, civil drafters from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of civil drafters and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Civil Drafter	Description	Hourly rate
   Civil Drafter	Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.	$18-31
   Autocad Drafter	An Autocad Drafter develops drawings and plans for the construction and manufacturing industries. They use various types of computer-aided design and drafting software.	$14-26
   Computer Aided Drafter	A computer-aided drafter is responsible for creating designs, usually for industrial manufacturing and construction projects, using computer-aided software systems and applications. Computer-aided drafters should have excellent command in programming languages and navigating computer system codes to develop a technical output, following the clients' specifications and business requirements... Show more	$15-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Civil 3D
   • Construction Drawings
   • Survey Data
   • Sketch
   • Aided Design
   • Autodesk
   • Civil Design
   • CAD Standards
   • GIS
   • Civil Drawings
   • Design Drawings
   • Construction Projects
   • As-Built
   • Revit

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist surveyors in the field Revit.
   • Submit finished plans to TXDOT QC for approval.
   • Develop attribute links for GIS systems database using AutoCAD.
   • Prepare complete plan sets for as-built surveys, topo.
   • Establish fix control points using total stations and GPS equipment.
   • Involve in the design of subdivisions and commercial sites from conceptual to final.

   More civil drafter duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your civil drafter job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A civil drafter salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a civil drafter in Oklahoma may be lower than in Maryland, and an entry-level civil drafter usually earns less than a senior-level civil drafter. Additionally, a civil drafter with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average civil drafter salary

   $50,923yearly

   $24.48 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level civil drafter salary

   $39,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 28, 2025

   Average civil drafter salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maryland	$58,113	$28
   2	New Jersey	$57,264	$28
   3	Illinois	$56,950	$27
   4	California	$56,031	$27
   5	New York	$54,513	$26
   6	North Dakota	$52,125	$25
   7	Washington	$52,058	$25
   8	Virginia	$51,972	$25
   9	Massachusetts	$50,361	$24
   10	Nebraska	$49,931	$24
   11	Arizona	$49,667	$24
   12	Pennsylvania	$47,524	$23
   13	District of Columbia	$47,295	$23
   14	Connecticut	$47,033	$23
   15	Nevada	$46,587	$22
   16	Texas	$46,521	$22
   17	Florida	$45,713	$22
   18	Ohio	$45,525	$22
   19	North Carolina	$44,876	$22
   20	Georgia	$44,811	$22

   Average civil drafter salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Shalom Baranes Associates	$60,160	$28.92
   2	VOA Associates	$59,884	$28.79
   3	Clark Nexsen	$59,883	$28.79
   4	AECOM	$59,606	$28.66	234
   5	Laguarda.Low Architects	$59,570	$28.64
   6	Ismael Leyva Arch	$59,380	$28.55
   7	Ashley McGraw Architects	$58,317	$28.04
   8	Ackerman-Estvold	$55,770	$26.81	2
   9	MLA	$52,838	$25.40
   10	RDA	$50,682	$24.37
   11	Curtain Wall Design and Consulting	$50,349	$24.21
   12	The Durable Slate Company	$50,193	$24.13
   13	IBS	$50,098	$24.09
   14	Ace Building Maintenance	$50,055	$24.06
   15	APltd Branding	$49,670	$23.88
   16	Leidos	$49,126	$23.62	92
   17	Kelly Services	$49,114	$23.61	1
   18	Wsp USA Buildings Inc.	$48,957	$23.54	269
   19	Suburban Building Products	$48,953	$23.54
   20	Aerotek	$48,797	$23.46

4. Writing a civil drafter job description

   A good civil drafter job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a civil drafter job description:

   Civil drafter job description example

   Sargent & Lundy is one of the most experienced full-service architect-engineering firms in the world. Founded in 1891, the firm is a global leader in power and energy with expertise in grid modernization, renewable energy, energy storage, nuclear power, and fossil fuels. Sargent & Lundy delivers comprehensive project services-from consulting, design and implementation to construction management, commissioning and operations/maintenance-with an emphasis on quality and safety. The firm serves public and private sector clients in the power and energy, gas distribution, industrial, and government sectors.
   Our Core Values
   
   Every decision we make is guided by our core values. By upholding these six principles, we support our clients, employees, and community. They are the compass we follow as we continue to grow our business and lead the industry.
   
   Quality-We provide high-quality deliverables and services through an uncompromising focus on peer review, safety, and continuous improvement.
   
   Accountability-Our actions demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism, integrity, and respect.
   
   Our People-We value diverse perspectives, encourage professional growth, and are committed to providing a work community where people thrive. Our work is challenging but rewarding.
   
   Our Clients-We deliver value and exceed our clients' expectations through outstanding customer service, personal accessibility, and clear communication.
   
   Innovation-Since 1891, we have invested in the people, training, tools, and technology needed to quickly adapt in a constantly changing world.
   
   Meaningful Impact-We make a positive impact in the communities where we work and live.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   This position will offer you the opportunity to work with multi-disciplined engineering and design project teams to use your creativity and innovation to develop 3D models of civil grading and structures to produce civil drawing deliverables within CAD software.
   
   + This entry-level position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your drafting skills, while working in a multi-disciplined team environment with other designers and/or engineers in the preparation of design drawings based on design input.
   
   + You will have the opportunity to apply your computer-aided drafting skills, while receiving hands-on training in 3D design software environments, such as AutoCAD 3D and/or MicroStation; additionally, you will receive training in Sargent & Lundy's award-winning, industry-recognized proprietary design databases.
   
   + You will be involved in creating master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to new and/or existing facilities and exact specifications and dimensions.
   
   + While interfacing with vendors and construction contractors, you may be given the opportunity to explain your drawings so appropriate design adjustments can be made.
   
   Qualifications
   
   We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
   
   Essential skills and experience:
   
   + Associates Degree in Computer Aided Design Technology preferred.
   
   + CAD certificate required in non-degreed.
   
   + Previous relevant experience considered.
   
   + Experience using AutoCAD and MicroStation software.
   
   + Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principals involved in production of technical plans, drawings, and models.
   
   + Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including the ability to relate various equipment to a technical design.
   
   CAD Software skill valued, but not required:
   
   + Bentley Microstation
   
   + Autodesk AutoCAD
   
   Sargent & Lundy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by law.
   
   CityChicago
   
   StateIL
   
   CountryUnited States
   
   Area of InterestDesign and Drafting
   
   TypeFull Time - Regular
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find civil drafters for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your civil drafter job on Zippia to find and recruit civil drafter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit civil drafters, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new civil drafter

   Once you've found the civil drafter candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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