How To Become A Contract Designer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a contract designer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Abby Guido

A contract designer is an architectural professional who specializes in the design and planning of structures. They create plans and layouts for buildings and landscapes using both physical and digital drafting tools. This role entails meeting with clients to discuss project specifications and providing suitable recommendations that consider the budget, safety standards and government regulations.

A contract designer typically works under the direct supervision of an architect. They may be employed in architectural firms, construction firms, or government agencies. A successful contract designer should have the relevant technical skills, extensive experience with CAD software, creativity, communication skills, attention to detail, listening skills and problem-solving skills.

Contract designers usually work in an office setting. They work full time, but they may also work extra hours late in the evenings.

What general advice would you give to a contract designer?

Abby Guido

Assistant Professor, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University

We've all heard the buzz about networking, and there is so much buzz because it works. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is both up to date and active. Connect with all of your past professors, classmates, and anyone and everyone you meet in a professional setting. I often tell students to get into the habit of searching for any classroom guests, or guest lecturers, to connect, thank them for their time, and build their network. Share content. Write articles, or reshare those you find interesting.

Every job I have ever received in my career has been through someone else I know. I share this with students to help them see the value in relationships. I always remember the students that took the time to write a handwritten thank-you note. And I think of them when I get an email asking if I know any students are looking for work.

ScoreContract DesignerUS Average

Salary

4.6

Avg. Salary $58,458

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.4

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.11%

Asian 10.37%

Black or African American 3.36%

Hispanic or Latino 9.14%

Unknown 4.59%

White 72.43%

Gender

female 33.42%

male 66.58%

Age - 39

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 - 39

Stress level

7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a contract designer

Explore contract designer education requirements

Most common contract designer degrees

Bachelor's

64.8 %

Associate

24.3 %

Master's

5.1 %

Start to develop specific contract designer skills

Skills	Percentages
Assembly Drawings	12.20%
Sketch	9.18%
Web Banners	5.24%
Auto CAD	5.21%
Graphic Design	5.08%

Complete relevant contract designer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New contract designers 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 contract designer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real contract designer resumes.

Research contract designer duties and responsibilities

Manage various PCB designs utilizing state of the art DFM techniques and comply with company standards.
Design tools ProE Creo and Windchill.
Hire to redesign a large in house application with the use of CSS and HTML.
Web content, WordPress, product design, brand design, HTML5, CSS

Prepare your contract designer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your contract designer 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 contract designer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable contract designer resume templates

Build a professional contract designer 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 contract designer resume.