What does an electrical drafter do?
An electrical drafter specializes in designing electrical wiring systems in coordination with engineers and architects, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include performing extensive research and analysis, drawing detailed diagrams, examining sites and available resources, and establishing technical guidelines. They may also review installation diagrams and documentation, assist technicians, and address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as an electrical drafter, it is essential to adhere to deadlines and goals, including the company's safety policies and regulations.
Electrical drafter responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real electrical drafter resumes:
- Manage database for PDF drawings and other electronic files.
- Create details of conduit racks to be produce using AutoCAD MEP and REVIT MEPCreate installation diagrams to be used for field installation
- Prepare and maintain BIM models.
- Run collision reports using NavisWorks to coordinate with 3D steel, HVAC, piping, fire protection and plumbing models.
- Used AutoCAD to create and modify, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection systems in various commercial buildings.
- Make sure files are then run on the CNC machine and parts are cut and send to fabricators to build project.
- Repair windows and screens per customer specifications.
- Develop library files and custom AutoCAD menus standardizing drafting procedures, resulting in increase drafting productivity and efficiency.
- Have knowledge of the NEC and local applicable codes.
- Produce updated drawings and diagrams for ECR's.
- Prepare lighting calculations and ComCheck for energy compliance documents.
Electrical drafter skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Electrical Drafters are proficient in Autocad Electrical, Revit, and Design Software. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Electrical Drafters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Autocad Electrical, 13%
Worked off of red lines, and used the AutoCAD Electrical package.
- Revit, 9%
Translated REVIT (BIM) files into AutoCAD-ready files from contracted architect.
- Design Software, 8%
Evaluated design software for company use.
- Aided Design, 6%
Used Computer-Aided Design tools such as Autodesk.
- Panel Layouts, 5%
Create CAD drawings from engineering mark-ups, including wiring diagrams, electrical schematics, and panel layouts.
- MEP, 4%
Performed design & manual drafting work for County MEP systems.
Most electrical drafters use their skills in "autocad electrical," "revit," and "design software" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential electrical drafter responsibilities here:
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for an electrical 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, an electrical drafter resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "order and inventory electrical components from vendors design custom electrical schematics support building, testing, and trouble shooting of robotic equipment"
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling electrical drafter 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 an electrical drafter resume, here's how electrical drafters can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "create new designs consistent with client requirements prepare detailed assembly drawings for on-site production worked independently with little or no direct supervision"
Technical skills. This is an important skill for electrical drafters to perform their duties. For an example of how electrical drafter responsibilities depend on this skill, consider 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 excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an electrical drafter: "assisted in design and modification of cockpit control panels according to technical specifications of various types of aircraft. ".
Time-management skills. For certain electrical drafter responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "time-management skills." The day-to-day duties of an electrical drafter rely on this skill, as "drafters often work under deadline." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what electrical drafters do: "draft and complete work orders in a timely manner to ensure completion by deadline using micro station and or auto cad. "
Math skills. A commonly-found skill in electrical drafter job descriptions, "math skills" is essential to what electrical drafters do. Electrical drafter responsibilities rely on this skill because "drafters work on technical drawings." You can also see how electrical drafter duties rely on math skills in this resume example: "computed geometry for layouts and details for engineering drawings. "
The three companies that hire the most electrical drafters are:
- Sargent & Lundy4 electrical drafters jobs
- Navmar Applied Sciences2 electrical drafters jobs
- City Light & Power2 electrical drafters jobs
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Compare different electrical drafters
Electrical 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an electrical drafter are more likely to require skills like "autocad electrical," "design software," "panel layouts," and "electrical equipment." On the other hand, a job as a computer aided design designer requires skills like "design drawings," "sketch," "mechanical design," and "product development." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Computer aided design designers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $79,713. Comparatively, electrical drafters tend to make the most money in the utilities industry with an average salary of $61,459.computer aided design designers tend to reach similar levels of education than electrical drafters. In fact, computer aided design designers are 3.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Electrical drafter vs. Staking engineer
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, electrical drafter responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "autocad electrical," "revit," "aided design," and "panel layouts." Meanwhile, a staking engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "electric service," "collect gps," "mathematics," and "line crews." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Staking engineers earn similar levels of education than electrical drafters in general. They're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrical drafter vs. Staking technician
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from electrical drafter resumes include skills like "autocad electrical," "revit," "design software," and "aided design," whereas a staking technician is more likely to list skills in "data collection," "gps," "safety rules," and "line extensions. "
When it comes to education, staking technicians tend to earn higher degree levels compared to electrical drafters. In fact, they're 5.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Electrical drafter vs. Draftsman/designer
Types of electrical drafter
Updated January 8, 2025
