Drafting & Design Technology Career Outlook

Drafting & Design Technology
Career Paths

Drafters prepare the technical drawings and plans used to build everything from manufactured products such as toys, toasters, industrial machinery, and spacecraft to structures such as houses, office buildings, and oil and gas pipelines. Entry-level or junior drafters usually do routine work under close supervision. After gaining experience, they may become intermediate drafters and progress to more difficult work with less supervision. Drafters may eventually advance to senior drafter, designer, or supervisor. Many employers pay for continuing education, and, with appropriate college degrees, drafters may go on to become engineering technicians, engineers, or architects.

Drafting work has many specialties:

• Aeronautical drafters work in the development and manufacturing of aircraft, missiles, and related parts
• Architectural drafters may specialize in a type of structure or building material
• Civil drafters work on major construction or civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control projects, and water and sewage systems
• Electrical drafters prepare wiring and layout diagrams for communication centers, power plants, electrical distribution systems, and buildings
• Electronics drafters work in the manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic devices and components
• Mechanical drafters are involved with a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fastening methods, and other spec requirements
• Process piping or pipeline drafters prepare drawings used in the layout, construction, and operation of oil and gas fields, refineries, chemical plants, and process piping systems

Work Environment

Drafters usually work in comfortable offices. Most drafters work a standard 40-hour week; only a small number work part time.

Herzing University student data for Drafting and Design Technology programs