What does a draftsman do?
Draftsmen are professionals with expertise in computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) drawings. They perform similar tasks as architects, such as preparing CADD drawings. They typically specialize in different areas, including construction, architecture, or civil engineering. They also prepare drawings for manufacturing. These drawings include technical specifications and details such as dimensions, procedures, and materials. Draftsmen also utilize technical handbooks, tables, and calculators, in addition to CADD. Employers often prefer a draftsman with drafting training, which you can obtain from community colleges or technical institutes.
Draftsman responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real draftsman resumes:
- Manage and supervise other draftsmen.
- Create architectural drawings using AutoCAD and Revit.
- Locate correct cut length for windows, doors and electrical wiring.
- Complete assignments in compliance with NRC, ANSI and AMSE regulations.
- Design and develop documentation for new & existing products per ANSI standards.
- Prepare mechanical detail, assembly, exploded-view, sketch and bills of material.
- Design include sketch up of rough conceptual design of the whole facility for massing.
- Generate precise and accurate AutoCADLT drawings of high-end, custom manufacture interior and exterior doors and windows.
- Utilize AutoCAD to produce layout and part drawings for pan in pan outer casing for commercial HVAC units.
- Design utilities and HVAC systems for high technology facilities, including clean rooms, general manufacturing and process and institutional facilities.
- Prepare PowerPoint presentations for interviews.
- Design automotive parts for fabrication and operate CNC machinery.
- Design commercial and residential structures using AutoCad and Revit.
- Assist with installation documents, installation and as-built drawings for warehouse and manufacturing facilities.
- Work closely with resident CNC operators and sheet metal fabricators to ensure reliable and satisfactory part manufacture.
Draftsman skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Draftsmen are proficient in Autocad LT, Auto CAD, and Layout Drawings. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Technical skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Draftsmen that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Autocad LT, 17%
Draft plans and detailed drawings using AutoCAD Lt 2017 AND 2016 SoftPlan Systems from sketches or notes of customers.
- Auto CAD, 10%
Created isometric drawings and transferred information using Auto Cad and Micro station software.
- Layout Drawings, 7%
Created numerous isometric piping layout drawings.
- Shop Drawings, 6%
Supervised preparation of sheet metal shop drawings for various commercial and industrial projects and functioned in project management and coordination.
- Engineering Drawings, 3%
Revised engineering drawings from engineering information on IBM compatible Computers using AutoCAD Release 12 software.
- Construction Drawings, 3%
Interpreted and translated architect's designs into actionable construction drawings and client friendly presentation drawings.
Most draftsmen use their skills in "autocad lt," "auto cad," and "layout drawings" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential draftsman responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a draftsman to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what draftsmen do because "drafters must take care that the plans they convert are technically accurate according to the outlined specifications." Additionally, a draftsman resume shows how draftsmen use detail oriented: "involved in the preparation of detail drawings, construction drawings, space planning, and the development of schematic design. "
Technical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling draftsman duties is technical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill 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)." According to a draftsman resume, here's how draftsmen can utilize technical skills in their job responsibilities: "supervised or conducted field surveys, inspections, or technical investigations to obtain data required to revise construction drawings. "
Time-management skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of draftsmen is time-management skills. This skill is critical to many everyday draftsman duties, as "drafters often work under deadline." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "credited with reducing construction drawing production time by 25% at carl linden design. "
Creativity. For certain draftsman responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "creativity." The day-to-day duties of a draftsman rely on this skill, as "drafters must be able to turn plans and ideas into technical drawings of buildings, tools, and systems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what draftsmen do: "used autodesk inventor to create assembly drawings for e+h products including: flow meters, limit switches and pressure gauges. "
Math skills. Another crucial skill for a draftsman to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what draftsmen relies on this skill, since "drafters work on technical drawings." How this skill relates to draftsman duties can be seen in an example from a draftsman resume snippet: "worked with construction drawings and designed with 3d geometry. "
The three companies that hire the most draftsmans are:
- System One3 draftsmen jobs
- Express Employment Indy South3 draftsmen jobs
- ICONMA2 draftsmen jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable draftsman resume templates
Build a professional draftsman resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your draftsman resume.
Compare different draftsmen
Draftsman 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 draftsmen and computer aided design designer. For instance, draftsman responsibilities require skills such as "autocad lt," "layout drawings," "structural steel," and "civil engineering." Whereas a computer aided design designer is skilled in "bim," "mechanical design," "product development," and "gd." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Computer aided design designers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $79,713. Comparatively, draftsmen tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $52,988.The education levels that computer aided design designers earn slightly differ from draftsmen. In particular, computer aided design designers are 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a draftsman. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Draftsman vs. Tool design checker
A design checker takes responsibility for the examination of engineering drawings of installations, assemblies, and parts to ensure completeness and accuracy. Design checkers review the drawings to check the application of geometric tolerances, the appropriate manufacturing details, and the best drafting practices. They are tasked to detect discrepancies or errors within the 3D design documents. It is their duty to annotate necessary changes and communicate with colleagues on how to come up with a better design.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real draftsman resumes. While draftsman responsibilities can utilize skills like "autocad lt," "auto cad," "layout drawings," and "shop drawings," tool design checkers use skills like "cad systems," "catia," "design layouts," and "autocad."
In general, tool design checkers achieve similar levels of education than draftsmen. They're 2.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Draftsmen in the next 3-5 years?
Dan Rodenbaugh
Vice President of Education, Director, ADDA
Draftsman vs. Design checker
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a draftsman is likely to be skilled in "autocad lt," "layout drawings," "shop drawings," and "construction drawings," while a typical design checker is skilled in "gd," "creo," "engineering design," and "solidworks."
Design checkers typically earn similar educational levels compared to draftsmen. Specifically, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Draftsman vs. Die designer
Types of draftsman
Updated January 8, 2025
