Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
Overview
Introduction
Computer-aided design (CAD) drafters and technicians, sometimes called CAD operators, use computer-based systems to produce or revise technical illustrations needed in the design and development of machines, products, buildings, electronic components, manufacturing processes, and other work. They use CAD (also known as CADD, computer-aided design and drafting) machinery to manipulate and create design concepts so that they are feasible to produce and use in the real world. Approximately 204,500 drafters work in the United S...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reports the median wage for civil and architectural drafters was $61,820 in May 2023. The lowest paid 10 percent of these drafters made less than $39,720 annually; the highest paid 10 percent made more than $94,580 annually.
Electrical and electronics drafters had higher earnings, with an average annual wage of $69,260, according to the DOL. Salaries ra...
Work Environment
CAD professionals almost always work in clean, quiet, well-lighted, air-conditioned offices. They spend most of their days at a workstation. While the work does not require great physical effort, it does require patience and the ability to maintain concentration and attention for extended periods of time. Some technicians may find they suffer from eyestrain from working for long periods in fron...
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that employment for drafters will decline by 1 percent from 2023 to 2033, although the employment outlook varies by specialty. It predicts the following employment outlooks by specialty through 2033:
- architectural and civil drafters: +1 percent
- electrical and electronics drafters: +4 percent
- mechanical drafters: -5 perce...