How To Become A Computer Aided Drafter: What It Is and Career Path

What is a computer aided drafter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Remember the time when many deadly stunts were performed to shoot a breathtaking scene for a movie. Now, there is no need to take that risk thanks to technology. Not only films but computer aided drafting (CAD) has overtaken other industries as well. Whether you talk about automobile, aerospace, or any other production industry, you can take the help of Computer Aided Drafter. Who will create the online model and evaluate the feasibility of the product by modeling its software version?

Computer Aided Drafting is all about high-tech computer software knowledge, which requires considerable expertise. You can apply for this post after completing college and getting specific computer certifications. But if you want to excel in your field, start your career after completing your bachelor's degree.

This is a hustle-free job where you can work solely to complete your project. And opting for this career, you can get paid around $20.62 per hour. With an increase in your expertise, you can earn much more than that, working 40 hours a week.

ScoreComputer Aided DrafterUS Average

Salary

3.4

Avg. Salary $43,520

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.3

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.70%

Asian 7.02%

Black or African American 3.09%

Hispanic or Latino 11.66%

Unknown 5.20%

White 72.33%

Gender

female 25.84%

male 74.16%

Age - 45

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45

Stress level

4.3

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a computer aided drafter

Explore computer aided drafter education requirements

Most common computer aided drafter degrees

Associate

51.9 %

Bachelor's

33.6 %

High School Diploma

5.0 %

Start to develop specific computer aided drafter skills

Skills	Percentages
CAD Standards	8.89%
Revit	7.25%
Aided Design	6.38%
CAD Drawings	5.23%
Shop Drawings	4.48%

Complete relevant computer aided drafter training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 4-10 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New computer aided drafters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a computer aided drafter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real computer aided drafter resumes.

Research computer aided drafter duties and responsibilities

Clean up architectural drawings to bare walls, convert layers and add masonry reinforcements to walls, doors and windows.
Used VBA to program business tools.
Create detail blue prints for jigs to be build for production.
Translate REVIT (BIM) files into AutoCAD-ready files from contract architect.

Prepare your computer aided drafter resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your computer aided drafter resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a computer aided drafter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable computer aided drafter resume templates

Build a professional computer aided drafter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your computer aided drafter resume.