Becoming a Drafter via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
International Academy of Design and Technology, one of the highest ranking online
schools,
is a US school (accredited) offering drafting courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
architects,
architecture designers,
drafters,
landscape architects,
architectural engineers,
project architects,
architectural project managers, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 18,290 people employed as
drafters alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$48,210.
Architecture and engineering employees make on average $73,590
per year and there are about 2,412,730
of them employed today.
Colleges and universities like International Academy of Design and Technology that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Drafter
- Architect Firms
- Engineering Firms
- Design Firms
- Interior Designer Firms
- Landscape Architecture Firms
- Civil Engineering Firms
- Construction Firms
- Contractor Firms
- Universities
- Technology Firms
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Drafter
- Help engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems
- Turn ideas into images
- visit proposed installation sites and draw rough sketches of location
- Supervise and train other technologists technicians and drafters
- Help people by making sure your designs are accurate
- Use critical thinking skills and logic
- Read about other drafting ideas and concepts
- thinking creatively
- Create a safer future with long lasting structures and technologies
- Turn raw data into something tangible
Potential Drawbacks
- prepare technical drawings and plans
- works over time
- tedious calculations
- stressful job
- work overtime to meet deadlines
- have to produces elaborate designs efficiently and accurately
- they must sit in front of the computer in a long period
- they often suffer from eyestrain
- usually work independently at their terminals
- they also suffer from back ache due to sitting in front of the computer for a long time
Related Professions to Consider
- Electro-Mechanical Drafter
- Drafter
- Designer
- Architectural AutoCAD Drafter
- CADD Drafter
- Environmental Technician
- Mechanical Designer
- Healthcare Bylaws Drafter
- Sr. Mechanical Detail Drafter
- Microstation V8 Drafter
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Drafter
- What are the Software Technologies?
- What are the Hardware and Operating System Technologies?
- Tell me something about Manufacturing?
- There are so many candidates for this post Why you think you are applicable for this job?
- What Is The Use Of CAD In Your Work?
- What Are The Platforms That You Use In Your Drawings?
- There Are So Many Candidates For This Post Why Do You Think You Are Applicable For This Job?
- What Other Technologies Are Required While Working With CAD?
- Tell us about yourself and why I should hire you?
- What would you describe as your strongest/weakest skills?
Common Collaborating Professions
- Insolvency Admin/Drafter
- GIS Drafters
- CAD Drafter
- Drafter Cad
- Electrical Drafter
- Manual Drafter
- Unigraphics Drafter Designer Detailer Modeler
- Electrical CAD Drafter / Technician Job
- AutoCAD Drafters
- Structural Designer Drafter Cleveland Ohio
Drafter Training books
Drafter (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- Architectural drafting
- Building codes
- Business and technical writing
- Computer-assisted drafting I II
- Construction materials
- Engineering design graphics
- Machine drafting
- Product design
- Technical drawing
- Industrial arts
Drafter Salary Information
Category: Architecture and engineering occupations
| Total # Employed in the US |
2,412,730 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$35.38/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $17.97 |
$24.34 |
$33.07 |
$44.34 |
$56.05 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$73,590 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $37,380 |
$50,630 |
$68,790 |
$92,220 |
$116,590 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| % |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Architecture and engineering occupations — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Florida |
$45.77/hr
|
$95,200
|
| Alaska |
$44/hr
|
$91,530
|
| Colorado |
$41.19/hr
|
$85,680
|
| Mississippi |
$38.96/hr
|
$81,030
|
| Missouri |
$38.69/hr
|
$80,470
|
| Connecticut |
$38.32/hr
|
$79,700
|
| North Dakota |
$37.7/hr
|
$78,410
|
| Wyoming |
$37.14/hr
|
$77,250
|
| Virginia |
$37.13/hr
|
$77,220
|
| District of Columbia |
$37.03/hr
|
$77,020
|
| Ohio |
$35.62/hr
|
$74,080
|
| Oklahoma |
$35.61/hr
|
$74,070
|
| Delaware |
$35.44/hr
|
$73,710
|
| Puerto Rico |
$35.15/hr
|
$73,110
|
| Alabama |
$34.95/hr
|
$72,690
|
| Kansas |
$34.76/hr
|
$72,300
|
| Montana |
$34.75/hr
|
$72,270
|
| New York |
$34.12/hr
|
$70,970
|
| Arkansas |
$34.06/hr
|
$70,850
|
| Indiana |
$33.84/hr
|
$70,390
|
| Tennessee |
$33.72/hr
|
$70,140
|
| Guam |
$33.06/hr
|
$68,770
|
| North Carolina |
$32.96/hr
|
$68,560
|
| Iowa |
$32.91/hr
|
$68,460
|
| Utah |
$32.85/hr
|
$68,330
|
| Nebraska |
$32.81/hr
|
$68,240
|
| Massachusetts |
$32.8/hr
|
$68,220
|
| Idaho |
$32.64/hr
|
$67,890
|
| South Carolina |
$32.63/hr
|
$67,870
|
| New Hampshire |
$32.55/hr
|
$67,690
|
| South Dakota |
$32.47/hr
|
$67,530
|
| Wisconsin |
$32.23/hr
|
$67,030
|
| Maine |
$32.07/hr
|
$66,710
|
| Washington |
$32.06/hr
|
$66,690
|
| Oregon |
$31.76/hr
|
$66,070
|
| Hawaii |
$31.28/hr
|
$65,070
|
| Kentucky |
$30.89/hr
|
$64,260
|
| Michigan |
$30.8/hr
|
$64,070
|
| Louisiana |
$30.67/hr
|
$63,800
|
| Maryland |
$29.89/hr
|
$62,180
|
| New Mexico |
$29.36/hr
|
$61,070
|
| California |
$29.27/hr
|
$60,880
|
| Nevada |
$28.95/hr
|
$60,210
|
| Pennsylvania |
$28.31/hr
|
$58,890
|
| New Jersey |
$27.47/hr
|
$57,130
|
| West Virginia |
$26.54/hr
|
$55,200
|
Category: Architectural and civil drafters
| Total # Employed in the US |
105,320 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$22.94/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $13.97 |
$17.39 |
$21.92 |
$27.61 |
$33.47 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$47,710 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $29,050 |
$36,170 |
$45,600 |
$57,420 |
$69,610 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.5% |
12.6% |
29.9% |
31.3% |
20.9% |
3.2% |
0.6% |
|
Architectural and civil drafters — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Colorado |
$26.61/hr
|
$55,340
|
| Delaware |
$26.11/hr
|
$54,300
|
| Missouri |
$25.41/hr
|
$52,850
|
| Florida |
$25.29/hr
|
$52,600
|
| Alaska |
$25.26/hr
|
$52,550
|
| Mississippi |
$25.22/hr
|
$52,460
|
| Oklahoma |
$25.01/hr
|
$52,010
|
| Wisconsin |
$24.85/hr
|
$51,690
|
| Washington |
$24.68/hr
|
$51,330
|
| New York |
$24.66/hr
|
$51,280
|
| Montana |
$23.87/hr
|
$49,640
|
| Nebraska |
$23.63/hr
|
$49,150
|
| District of Columbia |
$23.36/hr
|
$48,590
|
| Connecticut |
$23.16/hr
|
$48,180
|
| Arkansas |
$23.11/hr
|
$48,080
|
| Idaho |
$23.03/hr
|
$47,900
|
| Virginia |
$22.76/hr
|
$47,340
|
| North Dakota |
$22.76/hr
|
$47,340
|
| Indiana |
$22.7/hr
|
$47,210
|
| Louisiana |
$22.64/hr
|
$47,090
|
| Puerto Rico |
$22.42/hr
|
$46,630
|
| New Jersey |
$22.09/hr
|
$45,950
|
| Kansas |
$22.09/hr
|
$45,960
|
| New Hampshire |
$22.06/hr
|
$45,880
|
| Wyoming |
$21.9/hr
|
$45,550
|
| South Dakota |
$21.87/hr
|
$45,500
|
| Kentucky |
$21.74/hr
|
$45,230
|
| Oregon |
$21.62/hr
|
$44,960
|
| Hawaii |
$21.61/hr
|
$44,950
|
| North Carolina |
$21.52/hr
|
$44,770
|
| Massachusetts |
$21.46/hr
|
$44,650
|
| Michigan |
$21.11/hr
|
$43,900
|
| Iowa |
$21.05/hr
|
$43,770
|
| Utah |
$20.88/hr
|
$43,420
|
| Tennessee |
$20.85/hr
|
$43,360
|
| South Carolina |
$20.84/hr
|
$43,340
|
| Ohio |
$20.14/hr
|
$41,890
|
| Nevada |
$19.99/hr
|
$41,580
|
| California |
$19.94/hr
|
$41,470
|
| Guam |
$19.78/hr
|
$41,140
|
| Maine |
$19.55/hr
|
$40,670
|
| New Mexico |
$19.4/hr
|
$40,360
|
| Alabama |
$19.38/hr
|
$40,310
|
| Maryland |
$18.09/hr
|
$37,630
|
| Pennsylvania |
$17.37/hr
|
$36,130
|
| West Virginia |
$17.14/hr
|
$35,640
|
Category: Electrical and electronics drafters
| Total # Employed in the US |
30,590 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$26.34/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $15.93 |
$19.81 |
$25.04 |
$31.87 |
$38.92 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$54,800 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $33,140 |
$41,190 |
$52,080 |
$66,280 |
$80,960 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.5% |
12.6% |
29.9% |
31.3% |
20.9% |
3.2% |
0.6% |
|
Electrical and electronics drafters — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Kansas |
$31.96/hr
|
$66,480
|
| Missouri |
$31.32/hr
|
$65,140
|
| Oklahoma |
$30.54/hr
|
$63,530
|
| Iowa |
$29.98/hr
|
$62,360
|
| New York |
$29.55/hr
|
$61,460
|
| District of Columbia |
$29.16/hr
|
$60,650
|
| North Dakota |
$29.03/hr
|
$60,380
|
| Colorado |
$28.38/hr
|
$59,020
|
| Delaware |
$28.11/hr
|
$58,480
|
| Massachusetts |
$27.61/hr
|
$57,440
|
| Alaska |
$27.29/hr
|
$56,770
|
| Maryland |
$27.1/hr
|
$56,360
|
| North Carolina |
$27.04/hr
|
$56,250
|
| Connecticut |
$26.35/hr
|
$54,800
|
| Arkansas |
$26.14/hr
|
$54,370
|
| South Carolina |
$25.94/hr
|
$53,960
|
| Virginia |
$25.88/hr
|
$53,820
|
| Wisconsin |
$25.76/hr
|
$53,590
|
| Montana |
$25.75/hr
|
$53,560
|
| Florida |
$25.7/hr
|
$53,450
|
| Nebraska |
$25.31/hr
|
$52,650
|
| Washington |
$25.1/hr
|
$52,210
|
| Mississippi |
$24.99/hr
|
$51,970
|
| New Hampshire |
$24.98/hr
|
$51,960
|
| Michigan |
$24.91/hr
|
$51,800
|
| Ohio |
$24.75/hr
|
$51,470
|
| Utah |
$24.72/hr
|
$51,410
|
| Idaho |
$24.54/hr
|
$51,040
|
| Alabama |
$24.44/hr
|
$50,830
|
| Oregon |
$24.31/hr
|
$50,560
|
| Wyoming |
$24.23/hr
|
$50,410
|
| Tennessee |
$23.98/hr
|
$49,880
|
| Guam |
$23.95/hr
|
$49,810
|
| Indiana |
$23.82/hr
|
$49,550
|
| Kentucky |
$23.06/hr
|
$47,970
|
| Maine |
$23.05/hr
|
$47,930
|
| New Jersey |
$22.85/hr
|
$47,540
|
| South Dakota |
$22.64/hr
|
$47,080
|
| Hawaii |
$22.55/hr
|
$46,900
|
| New Mexico |
$22.22/hr
|
$46,220
|
| Nevada |
$22.05/hr
|
$45,870
|
| Louisiana |
$21.59/hr
|
$44,900
|
| California |
$20.87/hr
|
$43,400
|
| Pennsylvania |
$19.62/hr
|
$40,800
|
| West Virginia |
$17.65/hr
|
$36,710
|
Category: Mechanical drafters
| Total # Employed in the US |
71,890 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$23.94/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $14.73 |
$18.19 |
$22.98 |
$28.72 |
$35.12 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$49,790 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $30,640 |
$37,840 |
$47,790 |
$59,740 |
$73,050 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.5% |
12.6% |
29.9% |
31.3% |
20.9% |
3.2% |
0.6% |
|
Mechanical drafters — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Alaska |
$41.36/hr
|
$86,020
|
| Puerto Rico |
$29.3/hr
|
$60,950
|
| Ohio |
$28.57/hr
|
$59,420
|
| District of Columbia |
$28.56/hr
|
$59,400
|
| Missouri |
$28.15/hr
|
$58,560
|
| New York |
$26.51/hr
|
$55,140
|
| Delaware |
$26.36/hr
|
$54,820
|
| North Dakota |
$26.34/hr
|
$54,790
|
| Colorado |
$26.11/hr
|
$54,320
|
| Virginia |
$25.22/hr
|
$52,450
|
| Connecticut |
$25.16/hr
|
$52,330
|
| Michigan |
$25.04/hr
|
$52,080
|
| Mississippi |
$24.78/hr
|
$51,540
|
| Wyoming |
$24.73/hr
|
$51,440
|
| Washington |
$24.68/hr
|
$51,340
|
| Oregon |
$24.66/hr
|
$51,280
|
| Montana |
$24.64/hr
|
$51,260
|
| Alabama |
$24.44/hr
|
$50,840
|
| Kansas |
$24.41/hr
|
$50,780
|
| Iowa |
$24.22/hr
|
$50,380
|
| Indiana |
$24/hr
|
$49,920
|
| Nebraska |
$23.79/hr
|
$49,490
|
| Wisconsin |
$23.78/hr
|
$49,470
|
| Oklahoma |
$23.49/hr
|
$48,870
|
| Utah |
$23.48/hr
|
$48,830
|
| North Carolina |
$23.32/hr
|
$48,500
|
| New Hampshire |
$23.26/hr
|
$48,380
|
| Arkansas |
$23.12/hr
|
$48,090
|
| Tennessee |
$23.1/hr
|
$48,050
|
| Hawaii |
$22.92/hr
|
$47,680
|
| Idaho |
$22.5/hr
|
$46,790
|
| Guam |
$22.2/hr
|
$46,170
|
| South Carolina |
$22.19/hr
|
$46,160
|
| Kentucky |
$22.08/hr
|
$45,930
|
| Maine |
$22.05/hr
|
$45,860
|
| Louisiana |
$21.46/hr
|
$44,640
|
| Nevada |
$21.4/hr
|
$44,520
|
| Massachusetts |
$21.25/hr
|
$44,200
|
| South Dakota |
$21.05/hr
|
$43,790
|
| Maryland |
$20.68/hr
|
$43,020
|
| California |
$20.24/hr
|
$42,100
|
| New Jersey |
$18.89/hr
|
$39,300
|
| New Mexico |
$18.68/hr
|
$38,850
|
| Pennsylvania |
$17.1/hr
|
$35,570
|
| West Virginia |
$16.28/hr
|
$33,860
|
Category: Drafters, all other
| Total # Employed in the US |
18,290 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$23.18/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $13.72 |
$17.17 |
$21.79 |
$28.15 |
$35.05 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$48,210 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $28,540 |
$35,720 |
$45,320 |
$58,540 |
$72,910 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.5% |
12.6% |
29.9% |
31.3% |
20.9% |
3.2% |
0.6% |
|
Drafters, all other — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Alaska |
$28.91/hr
|
$60,130
|
| Oregon |
$28.82/hr
|
$59,950
|
| North Dakota |
$26.75/hr
|
$55,630
|
| Colorado |
$26.71/hr
|
$55,550
|
| Nevada |
$26.2/hr
|
$54,500
|
| Wyoming |
$25.35/hr
|
$52,730
|
| Connecticut |
$24.47/hr
|
$50,900
|
| Utah |
$24.23/hr
|
$50,390
|
| New Hampshire |
$23.7/hr
|
$49,290
|
| Indiana |
$23.43/hr
|
$48,740
|
| Maine |
$23.29/hr
|
$48,440
|
| Oklahoma |
$22.99/hr
|
$47,820
|
| North Carolina |
$22.93/hr
|
$47,700
|
| Mississippi |
$22.89/hr
|
$47,610
|
| Arkansas |
$22.82/hr
|
$47,460
|
| Kansas |
$22.46/hr
|
$46,720
|
| Missouri |
$22.4/hr
|
$46,590
|
| South Carolina |
$22.35/hr
|
$46,500
|
| Massachusetts |
$22.18/hr
|
$46,130
|
| Maryland |
$22.14/hr
|
$46,050
|
| New York |
$22.07/hr
|
$45,900
|
| Hawaii |
$21.97/hr
|
$45,700
|
| Virginia |
$21.8/hr
|
$45,350
|
| Delaware |
$21.78/hr
|
$45,300
|
| Nebraska |
$21.73/hr
|
$45,200
|
| Wisconsin |
$21.72/hr
|
$45,170
|
| New Mexico |
$21.65/hr
|
$45,040
|
| Michigan |
$21.04/hr
|
$43,760
|
| Tennessee |
$20.7/hr
|
$43,050
|
| South Dakota |
$20.66/hr
|
$42,980
|
| Idaho |
$20.35/hr
|
$42,320
|
| Kentucky |
$20.32/hr
|
$42,270
|
| Alabama |
$20.18/hr
|
$41,970
|
| Louisiana |
$19.53/hr
|
$40,630
|
| Montana |
$19.53/hr
|
$40,630
|
| Iowa |
$19/hr
|
$39,520
|
| California |
$16.89/hr
|
$35,120
|
| Guam |
$14.46/hr
|
$30,090
|
Category: Architectural Drafters
| Total # Employed in the US |
105,320 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$22.94/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $13.97 |
$17.39 |
$21.92 |
$27.61 |
$33.47 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$47,710 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $29,050 |
$36,170 |
$45,600 |
$57,420 |
$69,610 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.5% |
12.6% |
29.9% |
31.3% |
20.9% |
3.2% |
0.6% |
|
Category: Electrical Drafters
| Total # Employed in the US |
30,590 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$26.34/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $15.93 |
$19.81 |
$25.04 |
$31.87 |
$38.92 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$54,800 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $33,140 |
$41,190 |
$52,080 |
$66,280 |
$80,960 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.5% |
12.6% |
29.9% |
31.3% |
20.9% |
3.2% |
0.6% |
|
