How Much Money Does a Draftsman Make?
Many areas of expertise go into the building of structures in cities, but none could be constructed without the work of draftsmen, also known a drafter. These skilled artists are responsible for creating detailed architectural drawings that are used to build a structure. They draw upon the understanding of materials, engineering, mathematics and, of course, artistic design to transform a project from theory into physical reality.
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National Average
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2010 there were an estimated 89,670 drafters working on architectural and civil projects and earning $48,740 a year on average. Most of them fell into the middle 50 percent of earned wages, making from $37,070 to $58,660 a year. However, there were some exceptions. The lowest paid drafters, those in the bottom 10th percentile, reported salaries of less than $29,990 annually. Drafters at the top of their field climbed into the top 10th percentile and reported wages of more than $72,150 a year.
Location
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One of the most significant influences on the wages of drafters in 2010 was location, due to cost of living as well as demand for drafters. Several states in the BLS report showed average wages lower than the national figure, such as Utah with an annual mean wage of $42,640 and Wyoming with an average salary of $43,270 a year. Fortunately, there were also several places where drafters earned significantly higher salaries. Those working in Arizona, Washington D.C., California and Maryland earned an average salary of over $54,000 a year in 2010. However, the highest paying state in the U.S. was Connecticut, boasting an annual mean wage of $55,320.
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Type of Working Environment
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In 2010, the vast majority of drafters worked in architectural and engineering firms and made an average annual salary of $48,450. However, there were small number of positions held with other types of employers. Drafters working for local governments earned $56,310 a year, significantly more than the national average. At the federal level, they earned even more, averaging $62,310 annually. The highest paying jobs were found in aerospace product and parts manufacturing companies. There were only an estimated 60 drafters working in this industry but they were paid $70,760 a year on average.
Qualifications
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Most drafters hone their skills through training programs at technical schools, community colleges or universities. In high school, they often focus on mathematics, computer technology, art and design, and drafting, if it is offered on campus. More recently employers prefer to higher drafters with experience in CAD (computer aided design) techniques. Certification is typically not a requirement for drafters, but it can help them remain more competitive in the job market. The American Design Drafting Association offers tests and certifications for those qualified and interested.
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References
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