Architectural and Civil Drafters
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.
Median pay: $66,150/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +4.1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 10,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
• Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
• Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
• Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
• Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
• Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
• Supervise and train other technologists, technicians, and drafters.
• Determine the order of work and method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
What's the median pay for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
The median pay for Architectural and Civil Drafters is $66,150 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Employment for Architectural and Civil Drafters is projected to change +4.1% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Architectural and Civil Drafters?
About 10,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.