Do you like math and have a passion for drawing? If so, you might want to pursue a career in drafting. Drafters convert engineers’ or architects’ designs into technical plans. Their skills are important to bring drawings to life.

In this guide, we will provide you with drafter job statistics, possible education pathways, and the certifications you’ll need to get started. Read on to learn how you can become a drafter.

A drafter is a professional who creates technical drawings using a software program. These drawings are based on general ideas or rough drawings brought to the drafter by engineers and architects.

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A drafter is also sometimes referred to as a computer-aided design and drafting operator, or a drafting technician. Drafters can find work in a variety of industries, such as electricity, aeronautics, architecture, or heavy machinery.

If you want to become a drafter, you first need to get your high school diploma. Once you have graduated, you can attend a technical school or community college to start learning about drafting.

In most associate degree programs, you will study geometry, calculus, and drawing, which you will need for a career as a drafter.

There are many ways to become a drafter. You can attend a vocational school, community college, university, or bootcamp. Look through the options below to choose the one that is best suited to your learning preferences.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of a vocational program in drafting is $18,300. Vocational schools, also known as trade schools, train students in one specific technical skill. If you want to get lots of hands-on experience, then a vocational school is for you. Vocational training is a great way to get closer to obtaining a certification or associate degree.

Many students choose vocational schools because they are affordable and offer flexible learning options. These programs also usually only last a couple of years, as opposed to a four-year university degree.

Completing a specific degree in computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting can lead you straight to an entry-level drafting job. Many companies will hire drafters who are straight out of community college, then will guide them through further in-house training.

Community college programs are a good choice if you want to study many topics at once. The two-year associate degree programs will give you a basic understanding of the area you may want to specialize in. At the same time, you can learn the fundamentals of drafting as it relates to your particular area of interest.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the cost of getting a degree from a community college varies, but the average was about $10,704 between 2017-2018. If you are an in-district student, you may end up paying only $3,340. For international students, the tuition fee is $8,210.

Many drafters have a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design. This degree will qualify you for a wide range of jobs that require drafting and design skills, such as an electronics drafter, mechanical drafter, or exhibition designer.

The National Center for Education Statistics goes on to indicate that the average bachelor’s degree program in drafting cost about $25,657 in 2017-2018. If you are an international student, you will part with $9,093. Over the course of the four-year program, you will learn sketching, drawing, and computer-aided design. This university degree program will likely leave you adequately prepared for the job market.

A bootcamp will train students on drafting best practices in a much shorter timeframe than a college or university. They last only a matter of weeks or months, and most will leave you highly skilled in using AutoCAD design software. If you don’t respond well to traditional education, the rigorous format of a bootcamp might be perfect for you.

Drafting lessons offered by massive open online course (MOOC) providers usually cover AutoCAD literacy, geometry, 3D modeling, and machine tool design. The instructors are professionals who have first-hand knowledge of the drafting industry.

Some of these online courses cost as little as $10, and most take a matter of days to complete. MOOCs feature student-friendly programs and are very flexible and affordable.

If you are looking for the best way to become a drafter, you should definitely consider signing up for community college. Most hiring managers will be looking for candidates who have at least an associate degree. Follow the steps below to launch your drafting career.

To become a successful drafter, you will need to have a strong educational background and plenty of industry-standard skills. Companies will give priority to drafters who know how to apply their skills in the workplace.

Below are some of the technical skills that are most important to a successful drafting career.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says the average salary of a drafter is $57,960 annually. If you want to earn more, you should specialize in one area, such as electrical drafting. Electrical drafters bring in the highest average salary, at $62,100 per year. Mechanical drafters earn $58,270, and architectural and civil drafters make an average of $57,500.

The BLS indicates it expects a four percent increase in the number of new drafting jobs between 2019 and 2029. As with the salaries above, the demand for drafters will also vary based on industry.

Qualifications for drafters are largely the same. You must have a two-year associate degree from a vocational school or a community college to get an entry-level drafter position. If you would like to increase your chances of landing a job, you should consider acquiring a certification from the American Design Drafting Association.

According to ZipRecruiter, an entry-level drafter earns an average salary of $35,470.

A drafter’s responsibilities will differ from one industry to the next. Whether you want to know how to design and build working microchips, skyscrapers, or even spacecraft, drafters can do it all. Below, you will find several tasks that drafters must regularly complete.

You do not need certification to start working as a drafter, as there are plenty of jobs available to drafters with just an associate degree. However, if you want to receive a higher salary, you’ll need to have a certification.

Below, you will find the best certifications available in drafting, all of which are offered by the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA).

If you want to enhance your credibility, gain a competitive edge in the job market, or improve your chances of getting a promotion, you should get this certification. All you need to do is pass an online examination offered by the ADDA to prove your competence in drafting.

This certified design drafter qualification will help you land a better job position in the industry. As with the first certification, you must pass a test to qualify, and must retake the test every three years to renew your title.

This certificate is specifically for drafters who work in mechanics. You can work as a mechanical drafter without this certification, but having it will help increase your salary and your chances of promotion.

Being nervous about a job interview is normal. We’ve all failed a job interview at one point or another, but being prepared will increase your chances of success. If you want to land your dream job in drafting, practice the questions below so you can ace your interview.

Becoming a drafter isn’t a challenging process. You can easily start your drafting career after just two years of studying at either a trade school or community college. Trade schools are very career-driven, so you are guaranteed to learn all of the skills you will need to become a drafter, including drawing, design, and CAD software.

Drafting isn’t a popular career choice, but it serves a very important purpose. If you have a passion for design, drawing, or math, becoming a drafter is a smart choice. ZipRecruiter predicts that drafting jobs that use CAD will see a seven percent rise between 2019 and 2029, which is in line with the national average of all jobs.

So, drafting is a good career to pursue if you are looking for a profession that will offer a combination of stability and creativity.