3-D Drafter's Salary

Industries that produce physical products or build structures such as buildings, bridges or pipelines often rely on technical drawings to aid in the manufacturing or building process. Drafters create detailed technical drawings of products and structures. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most drafters use computer-aided design and drafting systems to prepare drawings. In other words, drafters in all areas of drafting may be engaged in 3-D drafting.

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Electrical and electronics drafters create wiring diagrams to assist with the production of electronic products and repairing electrical equipment. The BLS reports that the average annual income of electrical and electronics drafters was $55,960 in May 2010 and that the average hourly income in the field was $26.90. The top 10 percent of income earners made $82,990 or more, while the bottom 10 percent made $33,960 or less.

Architectural and Civil Drafters

Architectural and civil drafters make drawings of buildings, roads, bridges and other public engineering projects. The BLS reports that the average annual income of architectural and civil drafters was $48,740 in May 2010 and that the average hourly wage was $23.43. The top 10 percent of income earners made $72,150 or more, and the bottom 10 percent earned $29,990 or less.

Mechanical Drafters

Mechanical drafters produce drawings of machinery and mechanical equipment. The BLS states that the average annual income of mechanical drafters was $51,200 in May 2010 and that workers earned $24.62 an hour on average. The top 10 percent of income earners made $75,080 or more, and the bottom 10 percent made $31,660 or less.

Other Drafters

The BLS provides a fourth income category for "other" drafters that do not fit into the other three categories. Drafters in the "other" category work in industries like household furniture and cabinet manufacturing, office furniture manufacturing, and computer peripheral manufacturing. The bureau reports that the average annual income of drafters in the "other category was $48,190 in May 2010. The top 10 percent of income earners made $73,410 or more, and the bottom 10 percent earned $28,690 or less.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Drafters
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 17-3012 Electrical and Electronics Drafters
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 17-3011 Architectural and Civil Drafters
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 17-3013 Mechanical Drafters
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 17-3019 Drafters, All Other
• TheFreeDictionary: Computer-Aided Design