What does a drafter do?
The duties of a drafter vary on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a drafter specializes in creating a three-dimensional model for software and other applications upon gathering details and specifications from designers and other personnel. A drafter usually works with a team and is supervised by a manager or a more experienced colleague. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with the team involved, all while adhering to the policies and standards of the company.
Drafter responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real drafter resumes:
- Manage and supervise other draftsmen.
- Draft 2D and 3D mechanical, electrical and plumbing designs in Revit and AutoCAD base on MEP's drafting standards.
- Position include adding a new finish edge sketch to existing product and DXF new drawing out to AutoCAD for CNC machining.
- Create SolidWorks 3D drawings of customer files.
- Prepare 3-D drawings to be insert into PowerPoint presentations.
- Utilize GPS unit and software to survey land areas for projects.
- Utilize PDM (SmarTeam) system for controlling documents and models.
- Produce 2D and 3D AutoCAD MEP drawings using computer assist drafting systems.
- Research & verifying of part numbers, dimensions and MIL/ DOD standards.
- Develop fabrication drawings for steel platforms, handrails, and access ladders.
- Produce 3D parametric models of machine parts and assemblies using SolidWorks and PDM.
- Assist coworkers in the interpretation and implementation of company, industry and DOD standards.
- Used weldments and sheet metal in SolidWorks to produce bill of materials for assemblies.
- Detail all drawings and assemblies using balloons and BOM and document each assembly and sub-assembly.
- Identify and solve conflicts at the construction site, coordinating architectural, structural and MEP disciplines.
Drafter skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Drafters are proficient in Layout Drawings, Aided Design, and Revit. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Drafters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Layout Drawings, 8%
Prepared layout drawings of minor mechanical assemblies from design specifications and/or finis design layouts.
- Aided Design, 7%
Created and maintained engineering drawings using AutoCAD and SolidWorks Computer-Aided Design Software.
- Revit, 7%
Modeled existing floor plan, suggested construction options, and appliance layout using a Building Information Modeling software named Revit 2014.
- Auto CAD, 6%
Prepare, or direct the preparation of, product or system layouts and detailed drawings and schematics using auto CAD software.
- Engineering Drawings, 4%
Produced and prepared nationwide telecommunication engineering drawings for 3 of the top telecommunication companies in the United States.
- Sketch, 4%
Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
Most drafters use their skills in "layout drawings," "aided design," and "revit" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential drafter responsibilities here:
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for a drafter 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, a drafter resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "use of autocad, inventor, and vault in creation of construction drawings from engineering data. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform drafter duties is detail oriented. Drafters responsibilities require that "drafters must take care that the plans they convert are technically accurate according to the outlined specifications." Drafters also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "emerged as innovative drafter with recognized talent in generating specific construction drawings and connection details. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for drafters to perform their duties. For an example of how drafter responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "drafters work on technical drawings." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a drafter: "sketch layout in trailers and complete mathematical calculations. ".
Technical skills. drafter 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 drafters do with technical skills on a typical day: "produced mechanical drawings of geo-technical and environmental projects for the engineers. "
Time-management skills. A commonly-found skill in drafter job descriptions, "time-management skills" is essential to what drafters do. Drafter responsibilities rely on this skill because "drafters often work under deadline." You can also see how drafter duties rely on time-management skills in this resume example: "assist in the coordination of engineering drawings to meet deadlines. "
The three companies that hire the most drafters are:
- Construction Specialties163 drafters jobs
- Strait19 drafters jobs
- EN Engineering13 drafters jobs
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Compare different drafters
Drafter vs. Computer aided design designer
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 drafters and computer aided design designer. For instance, drafter responsibilities require skills such as "layout drawings," "drawing packages," "construction projects," and "dod." Whereas a computer aided design designer is skilled in "bim," "mechanical design," "product development," and "design projects." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Computer aided design designers tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $79,713. In contrast, drafters make the biggest average salary, $46,073, in the professional industry.On average, computer aided design designers reach similar levels of education than drafters. Computer aided design designers are 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Drafter vs. Design technician
A design technician's role revolves around conducting extensive research and analysis to determine a company's needs. The technician will develop system plans and collaborate with fellow technicians and engineers. There are also instances where a design technician has to craft presentations and hand in proposals, revising them when necessary. Furthermore, a design technician must produce progress reports, abide by managers' directions, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real drafter resumes. While drafter responsibilities can utilize skills like "layout drawings," "gd," "mechanical drawings," and "drawing packages," design technicians use skills like "civil 3d," "work ethic," "html css," and "bim."
Design technicians earn similar levels of education than drafters in general. They're 2.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for drafters in the next 3-5 years?
Dan Rodenbaugh
Vice President of Education, Director, ADDA
Drafter 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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from drafter resumes include skills like "layout drawings," "gd," "windows," and "fabrication drawings," whereas an autocad designer is more likely to list skills in "elevations," "solidworks," "engineering design," and "electrical systems. "
Autocad designers earn the best pay in the construction industry, where they command an average salary of $57,565. Drafters earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $46,073.When it comes to education, autocad designers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to drafters. In fact, they're 3.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Drafter vs. Architectural designer
An Architectural Designer is specialized in planning and designing structures/urban landscapes. They ensure that company policies and standards are maintained when providing services to clients.
Types of drafter
Updated January 8, 2025
