Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.
Electrical and Electronics Drafters
SOC: 17-3012 O*NET: 17-3012.00
Median Salary
$73,720
per year
Job Growth
📉 -5.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.
What does a Electrical and Electronics Drafters do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$48,680
10th percentile
Early Career
$58,800
25th percentile
Median
$73,720
50th percentile
Experienced
$91,780
75th percentile
Top Earners
$110,180
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$48,680
25th
$58,800
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$73,720
Mean: $77,960
75th
$91,780
90th
$110,180
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $61,500 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $58,800 and $91,780
- •Salary spread is 44.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 20,020 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:21,600
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services33.4%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services33.4%
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services28.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-5.6%
Annual Openings:1,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)21,600
Current
2034 (Projected)20,400
-5.6%
-1,200
Employment Change
-5.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Electrical and Electronics Drafters professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 44 locations
California
3,020 jobs$76,4101.29x
Texas
2,460 jobs$65,8301.37x
New York
930 jobs$88,0900.75x
Ohio
870 jobs$80,4201.22x
Colorado
800 jobs$68,2902.12x
Florida
770 jobs$65,1000.60x
Pennsylvania
620 jobs$65,6100.79x
Massachusetts
590 jobs$90,8201.25x
Washington
550 jobs$68,5801.20x
Arizona
530 jobs$65,2201.28x
Connecticut
490 jobs$65,0802.26x
Michigan
480 jobs$62,3500.85x
Georgia
470 jobs$76,8300.75x
Minnesota
460 jobs$74,8801.21x
Maryland
450 jobs$73,2301.27x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Writing
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Judgment and Decision Making
80%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#6
Reading Comprehension
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Speaking
54%
#9
Time Management
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Writing
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Speaking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Writing
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Desktop Publishers100%
5 shared skills
Family Medicine Physicians100%
5 shared skills
Film and Video Editors100%
5 shared skills
Special Effects Artists and Animators100%
5 shared skills
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property90%
5 shared skills
Upholsterers90%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Electrical and Electronics Drafters
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
The MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk Revit
🔥 Hot TechBentley MicroStation
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechC
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechC++
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk Revit
Bentley MicroStation
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Access
C
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Adobe Illustrator
C++
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Training & Development (1)General Responsibilities (11)Planning & Development (9)
1
Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications, or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development100% perform100%
2
Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets to be checked by an engineer or an architect.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Examine electronic schematics and supporting documents to develop, compute, and verify specifications for drafting data, such as configuration of parts, dimensions, or tolerances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Measure factors that affect installation and arrangement of equipment, such as distances to be spanned by wire and cable.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Locate files relating to specified design project in database library, load program into computer, and record completed job data.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Design electrical systems, such as lighting systems.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Electrical and Electronics Drafters
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Electrical and Electronics Drafters professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Electrical and Electronics Drafters
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.55
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.08
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.07
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.98
Analytical Thinking
ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level3.85
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.76
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.1
Initiative
4.1
Cooperation
4.0
Analytical Thinking
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.7
Independence
3.7
Innovation
3.7
Persistence
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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