Drafter Career Description

Drafter Job Profile And Description

A drafter is someone who makes technical drawings required for construction. He can be either a mechanical drafter or an architectural drafter and their job is to use mathematical calculations, graphs and scale to create drawings or drafts of the design given by the architect. They often have to work with engineers and architects and together they come up with the final draft after making all the necessary changes and improvements. By looking at the draft drawing, the construction workers know exactly what to do and the drafter can even make some changes after construction has started if there is a miscalculation. The architectural drafter draws drafts required for construction of a building and a mechanical drafter creates drawings of machines and equipment.

Drafter Duties And Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of a drafter depend on the job position or what kind of drafter he is:

• Work with the architect and create the draft based on the original design and what the client wants
• Knowledge of both computer software and architectural drafting tools
• Some of the tools used by them are scale rulers, protractors, compasses, lettering guides, etc
• Guide junior drafters or architects and proof the drawings made by them
• Make necessary changes in the first few drafts and add the suggestions given in notes by the architect or engineer and make the final draft

Drafter Skills And Specifications

The skills and specifications that are required of a drafter include:

• Good written and verbal skills
• Ability to solve problems quickly
• Analytical and organizational skills

Drafter Education And Qualification

The education and qualification requirements for a drafter are as follows:

• Obtain a 2-year associate’s degree in drafting
• Knowledge of computer-aided design software
• Certification from American Design Drafting Association

Drafter Salary

The average annual salary of a drafter is $47,000 and they may also get paid according the hour.