What does a draftsperson do?
Draftsperson responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real draftsperson resumes:
- 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
- Load patterns in the CNC machine to be manufacture.
- Preform computer modeling of the topography obtain through GIS work.
- Create, maintain, and enter information into BIM databases.
- Participate meetings with MEP consultants and end clients for drawing approval reviews.
- Update, revise and digitize county tax maps for county GIS database.
- Used the companies existing 2D drawings to generate functional 3D drawings in SolidWorks.
- Maintain the office network and provide PC and software support for the staff.
- Mentore less experience BIM designers in different parts of the country over the phone.
- Design PC boards and schematic layouts, electrical wiring diagrams, harnesses, mechanical enclosures and test fixtures.
Draftsperson skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Draftspeople are proficient in Revit, Auto CAD, and Construction Drawings. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Draftspeople that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Revit, 17%
Helped create HVAC & Plumbing Drawings in AutoCAD and Revit.
- Auto CAD, 9%
Prepared complete Architectural documents for residential homes and townhouses using Auto Cad.
- Construction Drawings, 8%
Coordinated with Plumbing, Mechanical, and Structural construction drawings to locate unobstructed pipe supports on several interconnected piping systems.
- Solidworks, 7%
Produced complex 3D models and 2D production drawings using SolidWorks and AutoCAD R14.
- Shop Drawings, 4%
Designed lighting and interiors for various projects Produced shop drawings Calculated material take offs Surveyed space Purchased all material for fabrication
- HVAC, 4%
Developed, coordinated and accurately implemented architectural, HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems.
"revit," "auto cad," and "construction drawings" are among the most common skills that draftspeople use at work. You can find even more draftsperson responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a draftsperson to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "drafters must be able to turn plans and ideas into technical drawings of buildings, tools, and systems." Draftspeople often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "create and revise cad drawings for chain assemblies and chain components using autocad 2014 and inventor 2014 create bom's"
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling draftsperson duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "drafters must take care that the plans they convert are technically accurate according to the outlined specifications." According to a draftsperson resume, here's how draftspeople can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "utilize autocad to draft detailed construction drawings, topographical profiles, record drawings and specification sheets. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for draftspeople to perform their duties. For an example of how draftsperson 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 draftsperson: "trained in ansi y14.5 gd&t;, flat pattern development, descriptive geometry, aws welding. ".
Technical skills. For certain draftsperson responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "technical skills." The day-to-day duties of a draftsperson rely on this skill, as "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)." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what draftspeople do: "prepared technical drawings and plans, constructed from rough sketches and drawings, calculations and measurements. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for draftsperson responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of draftspeople all the time, as "drafters often work under deadline." An excerpt from a real draftsperson resume shows how this skill is central to what a draftsperson does: "coordinated simultaneous deadlines between multiple residential projects. "
The three companies that hire the most draftspersons are:
- Nucor2 draftspeople jobs
- Tyson Foods2 draftspeople jobs
- Chobani2 draftspeople jobs
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Compare different draftspeople
Draftsperson vs. Architectural technician
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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, draftsperson responsibilities require skills like "solidworks," "shop drawings," "engineering drawings," and "mechanical drawings." Meanwhile a typical architectural technician has skills in areas such as "bim," "construction administration," "presentation materials," and "architectural design." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Architectural technicians tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $109,201. In contrast, draftspeople make the biggest average salary, $61,618, in the technology industry.On average, architectural technicians reach higher levels of education than draftspeople. Architectural technicians are 5.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Draftsperson vs. Autocad 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, draftsperson responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "production drawings," "engineering projects," "autodesk revit," and "project drawings." Meanwhile, an autocad designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "elevations," "drawing packages," "engineering design," and "ids." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Autocad designers may earn a higher salary than draftspeople, but autocad designers earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $57,565. On the other hand, draftspeople receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $61,618.In general, autocad designers achieve similar levels of education than draftspeople. They're 2.0% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Draftsperson vs. Architectural designer
A truss designer's major responsibility is to design layouts for floors and roofs. They work with architects and engineers to ensure the feasibility of new designs. They also develop schematics through computer-aided design (CAD) software. They are required to work on layouts for roofs and flooring for both residential and commercial buildings.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from draftsperson resumes include skills like "solidworks," "engineering drawings," "production drawings," and "mechanical drawings," whereas an architectural designer is more likely to list skills in "sketchup," "bim," "architectural design," and "building codes. "
Architectural designers earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $60,879. Draftspeople earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $61,618.When it comes to education, architectural designers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to draftspeople. In fact, they're 11.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Draftsperson vs. Truss designer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between draftspeople and truss designers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a draftsperson might have more use for skills like "revit," "construction drawings," "solidworks," and "hvac." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of truss designers require skills like "mitek," "design software," "layout design," and "roof trusses. "
Truss designers reach similar levels of education compared to draftspeople, in general. The difference is that they're 1.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of draftsperson
Updated January 8, 2025
