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Architectural and Civil Drafters

Architecture and Engineering · SOC 17-3011

0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$66,150
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
10,700
Proj. Annual Openings
103,700
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score

AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.

AI Exposure Analysis

AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure3.8%

Top Skills

1.Active Listening
2.Critical Thinking
3.Reading Comprehension
4.Speaking
5.Writing

O*NET occupation profile

What this work involves

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.

Common titles: Architectural Designer, Architectural Drafter, Architectural Draftsman, Civil Drafter, Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer), Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Drafter (CADD Drafter)

Representative Tasks

  • Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
  • Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
  • Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
  • Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
  • Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Create graphical representations of civil structures.
  • Create graphical representations of structures or landscapes.
  • Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.
  • Create maps.
  • Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.

Tools & Technologies

Adobe Creative Cloud software · hotAdobe Illustrator · hotAdobe Photoshop · hotAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D · hotAutodesk Revit · hotBentley MicroStation · hotMicrosoft PowerPoint · hotTrimble SketchUp Pro · hotAdobe After Effects · hotESRI ArcGIS software · hot

Related Occupations

Employment Projections & AI Exposure

15
Occupations Shown
4.5%
Avg AI Exposure
2
Bright Outlook

Sector Comparison

MetricThis CareerSector Average
AI Exposure0.0%3.8%
OutlookAverage15% Bright
Median Salary$66,150N/A
AI Resiliency100/100N/A