Architectural Drafting is a career field requiring excellent technical drafting skills, if you would like to work as an architectural draftsperson. It requires an interest in details, close attention to detail, and patience when working with software designed for creating drawings of building plans or other structures. Because many projects are done by computer, it does not require the same type of physical labor required by construction workers.
The starting salary for an architectural drafter can vary depending on how many years of experience you have, what type of work you’re looking for, and where you want to work. If you are just starting out as an architectural drafter, your salary will likely be lower than more experienced and senior level drafters.
Architectural drafters use software to convert the architect’s drawings into technical plans and prepare architectural documents. The starting salary for an entry-level architectural drafter is about $33,008 per year.
Starting Salary For Architectural Drafter Overview
Architectural drafting is a highly specialized profession that requires a significant amount of training, both in terms of education and hands-on experience. The architectural drafter must be able to create detailed drawings that are used by other professionals to construct buildings, including homes, offices, schools and more. These drawings are typically created using computer software or pencils and paper, but the process itself has remained largely unchanged for decades.
Requirements for Becoming an Architectural Drafter:
A high school diploma or GED is usually required for entry-level positions as an architectural drafter. In addition, some employers may also require candidates to have a college degree in architecture or engineering related fields such as building construction technology (BCT). In some cases, however, it may be possible for those with just a high school diploma or GED and relevant work experience to find employment as an architectural draftsman without attending any formal schooling at all.
Architectural Drafter Salary:
The average annual salary for an architectural drafter was $45,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2016. However, there are many factors which influence how much money someone will make
who is an Architectural Drafter
Architectural drafters create technical drawings like designs of architects and engineers for commercial, residential, and industrial construction projects. Your responsibilities include gathering all requirements needed to complete accurate drawings, preparing architectural drawings, updating designs and checking the accuracy, coordinating the work of drafting teams and technicians. Also, you are expected to prepare accurate and detailed drawings from rough sketches and estimations, provide drawings and specifications to contractors, and consult technical handbooks and tables. Not just this, but you will also need to accompany architects and engineers on on-site visits and also for research purposes to ensure construction workers work according to the plan. Then, you will need to compile technical reports.
Architectural Drafters salary
Architectural Drafters prepare detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
Salary range
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $40 | $83,740 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $34 | $70,170 |
| Middle (Mid 50%) | $28 | $57,500 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $22 | $45,770 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $18 | $36,590 |
Highest paying states
| State | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| DC | $35 | $73,280 |
| AK | $35 | $72,910 |
| MD | $32 | $66,810 |
| NJ | $31 | $65,180 |
| IL | $31 | $64,200 |
| CA | $31 | $64,080 |
| NY | $31 | $63,630 |
| CO | $31 | $63,610 |
| HI | $30 | $62,670 |
| MA | $30 | $61,880 |
Another simple way to increase your salary as an Architectural Drafter is to move to a higher paying state. However moving to a higher paying state like DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the expenses at DC might be much higher than where you are currently living at right now.
According to BLS, the highest paid Architectural Drafters are in the states of DC, AK, MD, NJ and IL.
Highest paying industries
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | $89480 | $43.02 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $75460 | $36.28 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $74340 | $35.74 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | $73090 | $35.14 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $72840 | $35.02 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $71210 | $34.24 |
| Telecommunications | $70130 | $33.72 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $68210 | $32.79 |
| Software Publishers | $67960 | $32.68 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $66050 | $31.76 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $65530 | $31.50 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $65350 | $31.42 |
| Land Subdivision | $65250 | $31.37 |
| Real Estate | $65100 | $31.30 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $64060 | $30.80 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $63360 | $30.46 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $63260 | $30.41 |
| Employment Services | $62850 | $30.22 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $62640 | $30.11 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $62080 | $29.85 |
| Local Government | $61620 | $29.62 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $61240 | $29.44 |
| Office Administrative Services | $61220 | $29.43 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $61120 | $29.39 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $60310 | $28.99 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $60260 | $28.97 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $60090 | $28.89 |
| Specialized Design Services | $59480 | $28.60 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $59260 | $28.49 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | $58490 | $28.12 |
