Occupations/17-3011.00
Architectural and Civil Drafters
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
70%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
47%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
72%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Task
Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
- Task
Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
- Task
Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
These are core tasks from O*NET. The wording didn’t clearly split routine from human, so they are listed without that label.
Core tasks
- 01Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
- 02Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
- 03Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
- 04Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
- 05Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
- 06Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.59
- Degree of automation2.48
- Time sitting4.52
- Originality (ability)3.38
- Conflict situations2.47
- Hands-on objects/tools3.25
- Outdoors / weather2.36
- Disease exposure1.15
- Decision freedom3.69
Top abilities
- Written Expression3.62
- Written Comprehension3.62
- Visualization3.62
- Oral Comprehension3.62
- Near Vision3.62
- Deductive Reasoning3.50
- Originality3.38
- Oral Expression3.38
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.62
- Active Listening3.25
- Writing3.38
- Speaking3.12
- Mathematics3.25
- Science2.50
- Critical Thinking3.38
- Active Learning3.38
- Learning Strategies3.00
- Monitoring3.25
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 35 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA · Public | Architectural Technology/Technician 04.0901 | $11,800 | 17% | 91% | 1 yr $77,213 2 yr $78,074 Master's · CIP 04.09 |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public | Architectural Technology/Technician 04.0901 | $12,600 | 48% | 84% | 1 yr $75,989 2 yr $72,134 Bachelor's · CIP 04.09 |
Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN · Public | Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians 15.0101 | $10,000 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $66,821 2 yr $67,420 Bachelor's · CIP 15.01 |
Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Private nonprofit | Architectural Technology/Technician 04.0901 | $68,200 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $63,335 2 yr — Master's · CIP 04.09 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit | Architectural Technology/Technician 04.0901 | $60,100 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $62,579 2 yr — Master's · CIP 04.09 |
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | Architectural Technology/Technician 04.0901 | $68,200 | 12% | 92% | 1 yr $54,035 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 04.09 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public | Architectural Technology/Technician 04.0901 | $17,700 | 18% | 93% | 1 yr $53,029 2 yr — Master's · CIP 04.09 |
Saint Paul College St. Paul, MN · Public | Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General 15.1301 | $6,100 | 100% | 29% | 1 yr — 2 yr $52,107 Associate · CIP 15.13 |
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN · Public | Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General 15.1301 | $5,900 | 100% | 28% | 1 yr — 2 yr $48,823 Certificate · CIP 15.13 |
Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC · Public | Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General 15.1301 | $2,900 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr $47,650 2 yr $45,277 Bachelor's · CIP 15.13 |
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General 15.1301 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr $39,585 2 yr $41,565 Associate · CIP 15.13 |
Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN · Public | Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General 15.1301 | $9,800 | 71% | 61% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Associate · CIP 15.13 |