Post job

How to hire a draftsperson

Draftsperson hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring draftspeople in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a draftsperson is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new draftsperson to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a draftsperson, step by step

To hire a draftsperson, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a draftsperson:

Here's a step-by-step draftsperson hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a draftsperson job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new draftsperson
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
jobs
Post a draftsperson job for free, promote it for a fee
  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the draftsperson you need to hire. Certain draftsperson roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A draftsperson's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, draftspeople 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.

    Here's a comparison of draftsperson salaries for various roles:

    Type of DraftspersonDescriptionHourly rate
    DraftspersonDrafters 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.$12-30
    Autocad DesignerTypically 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... Show more$19-36
    Architectural DesignerAn 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.$21-37
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Revit
    • Auto CAD
    • Construction Drawings
    • Solidworks
    • Shop Drawings
    • HVAC
    • Sketch
    • Engineering Drawings
    • Production Drawings
    • Architectural Drawings
    • Mechanical Drawings
    • As-Built Drawings
    • MEP
    • GIS
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • sketch 2D models , 3D models, manage drawing files etc .....
    • Manage the technical coordination between the structural and MEP engineers along with incorporating any owner relate changes in project scope.
    • Assist with updating architectural drawings, HVAC drawings, electrical drawings and contractor's 'as-built' drawings on an as-need basis.
    • Produce complex 3D models and 2D production drawings using SolidWorks and AutoCAD R14.
    • Prepare detail 3D drawings using Revit and other coordination software (Navisworks, Revizto) of HVAC mechanical piping systems.
    • Create TWD files for CNC output
    More draftsperson duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your draftsperson job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A draftsperson can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, draftspeople' average salary in alabama is 41% less than in district of columbia.
    • Seniority. Entry-level draftspeople 57% less than senior-level draftspeople.
    • Certifications. A draftsperson with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a draftsperson's salary.

    Average draftsperson salary

    $41,751yearly

    $20.07 hourly rate

    Entry-level draftsperson salary
    $27,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 5, 2025

    Average draftsperson salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$49,498$24
    2Maryland$48,353$23
    3Illinois$46,474$22
    4Rhode Island$46,151$22
    5California$45,098$22
    6Connecticut$42,952$21
    7Indiana$42,008$20
    8Massachusetts$41,718$20
    9Ohio$40,791$20
    10North Dakota$39,175$19
    11Tennessee$38,789$19
    12Oregon$38,160$18
    13Texas$37,829$18
    14Florida$37,751$18
    15Georgia$36,017$17
    16Utah$35,188$17
    17Arkansas$34,540$17
    18Kansas$33,408$16
    19Idaho$31,853$15

    Average draftsperson salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Basin Electric Power Cooperative$65,274$31.38
    2AO Architects$50,608$24.33
    3David Weekley Homes$47,882$23.02
    4Keymark$47,676$22.92
    5Chobani$45,973$22.10
    6Vencore$43,647$20.98
    7Tyson Foods$43,030$20.69
    8Orbital Engineering$42,354$20.36
    9Strategic Factory$40,627$19.53
    10Benderson Development$40,588$19.512
    11K Hovnanian Companies Of New York Inc$40,552$19.501
    12Peraton$40,521$19.48
    13production glue$40,301$19.38
    14Zachary Nunn$39,900$19.18
    15Applied Tech$38,757$18.63
  4. Writing a draftsperson job description

    A draftsperson job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a draftsperson job description:

    Draftsperson job description example

    Job DescriptionSalary:

    The 2D/3D Vectorworks Draftsperson is responsible for the creation and maintenance of all drawings for the project under the guidance of an experienced Technical Director / Technical Producer. This freelance position requires someone with experience in 2D/3D drafting for live entertainment productions. The ideal Draftsperson will have experience with both scenic design and a basic understanding of theatrical fabrication techniques.



    Responsibilities:


    • Creating 3D representation of the venue and populating it with show elements
    • Modeling major show concepts/elements from the groundplan into 3D representations for the purpose of conveying design intent and form/scale to the client.
    • Creating and maintaining the 2D groundplan throughout the entire project (including onsite tracking of changes and creation of “as-built” plans)
    • Drafting of site plans, ground plans, and other required layouts/details.
    • 2D/3D drafting of individual scenic elements for fabrication.
    • Meetings and site surveys with the client and internal and external collaborators.
    • Ensure that all work conforms to pre-established specifications in the spirit of the “production glue way”.
    • Enforce safety standards, policies, and procedures and make recommendations as necessary.


    Desired Skills and Experience:


    • Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of 1 year of live event, entertainment, theater, touring concert and/or production experience in scenic or exhibit fabrication.
    • Strong 3D drafting skills. All drafting will be done in Vectorworks.
    • Functional competencies in scenic fabrication, enough knowledge of material choices to provide callouts drawing callouts (matte vs gloss, etc.)
    • Computer skills: Macintosh OS or Windows platform
    • Experience with software related to the creation of renderings preferred – Cinema 4D, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator, SketchUp.


    Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to take initiative, multi-task, and work graciously in a fast paced environment. Ability to demonstrate a sense of urgency and act responsively.


    Requirements:


    • Must be comfortable and flexible to work in both a remote and onsite setting.
    • Should be equally comfortable communicating in person with everyone from interns to clients.
    • Ideal contract will be a multi-month agreement with the possibility of extension or possibly a full-time role
      .......................................................................
    • We at productionglue celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive space for all employees. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, (dis)ability, age, or veteran status.
    • Our pursuit of advancement is what has motivated us since day one and what propels us to continue innovating. Our track record has allowed us to grow from a few friends with a vision, into a dynamic full-service team, collaborating with hundreds of clients on award-winning work. Together, we advance what’s possible.
    • We’re an award-winning Live Event Agency and for 15 years we’ve been collaborating with innovative global brands, creating some of the most talked-about events and activations. With each project's success, we pushed our ambition further, in search of new adventures, and greater challenges.
  5. Post your job

    To find draftspeople for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any draftspeople they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level draftspeople with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your draftsperson job on Zippia to find and attract quality draftsperson candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting draftspeople requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    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 draftsperson

    Once you have selected a candidate for the draftsperson position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new draftsperson. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a draftsperson?

Before you start to hire draftspeople, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire draftspeople pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

Draftspeople earn a median yearly salary is $41,751 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find draftspeople for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $12 and $30.

Find better draftspeople in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring draftspeople FAQs

Search for draftsperson jobs

Ready to start hiring?

Browse architecture and engineering jobs