Architectural Drafter

Salary Range	Jobs Available
$38,300 - $85,100	11,300+

What Does an Architectural Drafter Do?

Q: How long does it take to become an architectural drafter?

An associate degree generally requires about two years of full-time education. Certificate programs vary in length but generally require less time to complete than an associate degree. This relatively short window of preparation with the payoff of a good salary is one of the reasons architectural drafter is one of the best skilled trade jobs.

Q: What other qualifications do I need?

High school classes in math, science, computers, drawing, design or graphics will be useful if you plan to be an architectural draftsman. If you get the opportunity to work around an architectural office, take it!

Q: What about certifications?

Certification isn’t required for drafters, but it may give you an advantage with employers. The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) certifies drafters.

Q: What skills and qualities would make someone a good fit for this job?

You are more likely to succeed in this line of work if you:Are creativeAre detail-orientedHave good interpersonal and presentation skillsAre good at mathEnjoy problem-solvingHave strong computer skillsManage your time well and work efficiently on deadline

If you’re a problem-solver with a creative streak, here’s an exciting career path to consider. Drafters use computer-aided design (CAD) software to transform designs into technical drawings. In the construction industry, drafters work with architects and engineers. Their skills are needed in many fields, which is why drafters generally specialize. Architectural drafters create drawings for buildings or structures, but there are also civil, aeronautical and mechanical drafters.

Architectural drafters — also called CAD drafters, CAD operators or AutoCAD drafters — create technical drawings that pull together all the needed information about how to build a commercial, residential or industrial structure. They bring accuracy and precise specifications to an idea that started as a sketch.

Architectural CAD drafters often specialize in types of buildings or even types of materials. Increasingly, many use building information modeling (BIM) software that creates 3D models.

Why is this career exciting? Because the drawings that drafters create are the starting point for a building. The architectural draftman’s work is what site managers, engineers and managers use to set everything else in motion. The architectural draftman’s precision matters at every stage of the process, so he or she needs to be an excellent communicator even after the drawings are done — especially if changes are needed.

Read on to learn more about what it takes to become a drafter, and hear from an expert who's done the job for years.

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An architectural drafter uses computer-aided drafting (CAD) software to review drawings

An architectural drafter uses computer-aided drafting (CAD) software to create the drawings that make an architect’s vision a reality. (Credit: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock)

Responsibilities

Translate specifications created by engineers and architects into a plan
Design plans using computer-aided design (CAD) or traditional drafting methods
Add details based on knowledge of building techniques, building codes and site requirements
Go to the construction site before and during construction to understand site requirements and changes
Spell out type and amount of needed materials
Ensure work complies with laws and regulations
Prepare cost estimates

How To Become an Architectural Drafter: FAQs

What are the requirements to become an architectural drafter?

High school graduates who want to be drafters typically earn an associate of applied science degree in drafting or a similar certificate program from a community college or technical school. Both paths include instruction in design fundamentals, sketching and CAD software.

This is one of the best careers that can be obtained with an associate degree. (There are many others, too!)

How long does it take to become an architectural drafter?

What other qualifications do I need?

What about certifications?

What skills and qualities would make someone a good fit for this job?

The bottom line:

If you have drawing or design skills and want to become a crucial player in the creation of buildings or any kind of structure, this career could be for you. It's not only satisfying to see the finished product; it's also exciting to be a part of a team on a fast-paced project. Check out the training options below to get started!

Coby Godfrey, architectural drafter, stands in front of a mantle

What's it like to be a drafter?

Coby Godfrey always had an appreciation for architecture.

"I had a desire to be a fully licensed architect but started college in my 30s so the full architecture program wasn’t in the cards." Instead, he got an associate degree, and that turned out to be a great move.

The residential design and draftsman stays busy. Because the company he works for is small, team members wear many hats in a given day, from drafting to on-site measurements to drawing contracts. It's a role that is ever-changing yet still fulfilling.

"I don’t just design buildings," says Coby. "I design places where people will live their lives and raise their children — and that matters to me."