Salary Range
$25,000 to $100,000Overview
Computer-aided design (CAD) drafters and technicians, sometimes called CAD operators, use computer-based systems to produce or revise technical illustrations needed in the design and development of machines, products, buildings, electronic components, manufacturing processes, and other work. They use CAD (also known as CADD, computer-aided design and drafting) machinery to manipulate and create design concepts so that they are feasible to produce and use in the real world. Approximately 205,190 drafters work in the United States.
Minimum Education Level
Associate's DegreeCertification/License
RequiredOutlook
Little Change or More Slowly than the AveragePersonality Traits
Hands On
Problem-Solving
Technical
Career Ladder
Data Processing Manager, or CAD Engineer, or CAD Designer
Experienced CAD Drafter/Technician
Entry-Level CAD Drafter/Technician
Related Professions
- Advertising and Marketing Managers
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Technicians
- Aerospace Engineers
- Apparel Industry Workers
- Appliance Service Technicians
- Architects
- Asbestos Abatement Technicians
- Assessors and Appraisers
- Automobile Collision Repairers
- Automobile Sales Workers
- Automobile Service Technicians
- Automotive Dealership Owners and Sales Managers
- Automotive Designers
- Automotive Engineering Technicians
- Automotive Engineers
- Automotive Industry Workers
- Automotive Technology Teachers
- Avionics Engineers and Technicians
- Bindery Workers
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Biomedical Engineers
- Biomedical Equipment Technicians
- Biotechnology Patent Lawyers
- Biotechnology Production Workers
- Biotechnology Research Assistants
- Boilermakers and Mechanics
- Bricklayers and Stonemasons
- Business Managers
- Carpenters
- Cement Masons
- Ceramics Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Civil Engineers
- Clinical Applications Specialists
- Computer and Office Machine Service Technicians
- Computer and Video Game Designers
- Computer Programmers
- Computer Systems Programmer/Analysts
- Computer Trainers
- Conservators and Conservation Technicians
- Construction Inspectors
- Construction Laborers
- Construction Managers
- Continuous Improvement Managers
- Coremakers
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- Cost Estimators
- Costume Designers
- Diesel Mechanics
- Digital Designers
- Drafters
- Drone Manufacturing Workers
- Drywall Installers and Finishers
- Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Electricians
- Electromechanical Engineering Technologists
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Electronics Service Technicians
- Electroplating Workers
- Elevator Installers and Repairers
- Embedded Systems Engineers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Planners
- Ergonomists
- Exhibit Designers
- Fabric Designers
- Fashion Designers
- Fiber Optics Technicians
- Floor Covering Installers
- Fluid Power Technicians
- Forge Shop Workers
- Furniture Designers
- Furniture Manufacturing Workers
- Futurists
- General Maintenance Mechanics
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geologists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Glass Manufacturing Workers
- Glaziers
- Graphic Designers
- Green Builders
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Greeting Card Designers and Writers
- Hardware Engineers
- Heating and Cooling Technicians
- Home Stagers
- Industrial Chemicals Workers
- Industrial Designers
- Industrial Ecologists
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Industrial Engineers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Industrial Radiographers
- Industrial Safety and Health Technicians
- Industrial Traffic Managers
- Information Security Analysts
- Instrumentation Technicians
- Insulators/Insulation Workers
- Interior Designers and Decorators
- Jewelers and Jewelry Repairers
- Job and Die Setters
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Landscape Architects
- Laser Technicians
- Lathers
- Layout Workers
- Leather Tanning and Finishing Workers
- Logging Industry Workers
- Logistics Analysts
- Logistics Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineering Technologists
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Manufacturing Production Technicians
- Manufacturing Supervisors
- Marble Setters, Tile Setters, and Terrazzo Workers
- Materials Engineers
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Engineers
- Mechatronics Engineers
- Metallurgical Engineers
- Metallurgical Technicians
- Microelectronics Technicians
- Millwrights
- Molders
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Numerical Control Tool Programmers
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Operating Engineers
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
- Optical Engineers
- Optics Technicians
- Packaging Engineers
- Packaging Machinery Technicians
- Painters and Paperhangers
- Paper Processing Workers
- Pharmaceutical Industry Workers
- Plasterers
- Plastics Engineers and Technicians
- Plastics Products Manufacturing Workers
- Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Precision Machinists
- Precision Metalworkers
- Prepress Workers
- Product Development Directors
- Product Management Directors
- Product Managers
- Production Designers and Art Directors
- Quality Control Engineers and Technicians
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
- Real Estate Developers
- Robotics Engineers and Technicians
- Roofers
- Rubber Goods Production Workers
- Sales Managers
- Sales Representatives
- Semiconductor Technicians
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Silverware Artisans and Workers
- Software Designers
- Software Engineers
- Sporting Goods Production Workers
- Stationary Engineers
- Steel Industry Workers
- Supply Chain Managers
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Systems Setup Specialists
- Technical Support Specialists
- Technical Writers and Editors
- Test Drivers
- Textile Manufacturing Workers
- Tobacco Products Industry Workers
- Toy Industry Workers
- Traffic Managers
- Urban and Regional Planners
- User Experience Designers
- Welders and Welding Technicians
- Wood Science and Technology Workers
