Civil Drafter Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
A large number of universities, technical institutes and community colleges offer courses on civil drafting. Technical institutes generally offer four-year programs to aspiring drafters. These programs focus on subjects like mathematics, computers, engineering, and architecture, which help civil drafters in their profession. Courses in community colleges are usually shorter in duration and stress a more liberal arts education.
Training and Education
A postsecondary vocational award is often necessary for working in the field. About 25% of civil drafters have earned a degree. Some college, below a 4-year degree, is sufficient for 62% of workers. Employees with only a high school education represent about 13% of all.
Job Overview
Civil drafters prepare the technical plans and drawings for civil engineering projects. Based on their drawings and drafts, constructions like highways and bridges are built. Most of their work was orignally done manually, but with the advancement of technology, work is done on computers with the help of Computer Aided Design and Drafting.
Job Requirements
To become a successful civil drafter, high school education in mathematics, science and computer graphics and design can be very valuable. Civil drafters can earn certifications from the American Design Drafting Association. This testifies their understanding of the nationally recognized civil drafting practices, and also demonstrates their knowledge on the subject. They also have to pass the Drafter Certification exam, where they are tested on different aspects of civil drafting, working designs and other technical concepts.
Civil drafters need to have good mathematical and mechanical skill and a good visual aptitude. They also need to be knowledgeable on the subjects of constructions and civil engineering. Communication skills and the ability to maintain interpersonal relations are always welcome as civil drafters have to work with customers, engineers and other professionals.
Nature of Work
Civil drafters have to make drafts, designs and topographical and relief maps. These are generally used for major civil engineering projects such as the construction of bridges, flood control projects and highways. The drawings need to include technical details, specify dimensions, procedures and materials and also provide a visual guideline required for the construction of a structure.
Civil drafters generally work in offices that are comfortable and well lit. A lot of their work is done on the computer but they also work with drafting tables and drawing boards. They usually work forty-hour weeks. Long hours at the computer often present health hazards in the form of back pain, eyestrain and problems of the hand and wrist. Some civil drafters prefer working part time.
Area Job Conditions
Civil drafters appear most common in Santa Barbara (California), Sebastian (Florida), and Kennewick (Washington), and least common in South Bend (Indiana), Springfield (Massachusetts), and Detroit (Michigan).
Kennewick (Washington), San Jose (California), and Santa Barbara (California) offer the highest pay. College Station (Texas), Waco (Texas), and Brownsville (Texas) offer the lowest salaries.
Part-Time and Self Employment
Government statistics report that 6% of civil drafters are employed part-time. Workers who work for themselves total about 5%.
Civil Drafters by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $41,000 | 410 | +17% |
| Decatur | $34,000 | 30 | -11% |
| Dothan | $38,000 | 50 | +35% |
| Florence | $41,000 | 40 | +23% |
| Huntsville | $37,000 | 130 | -9% |
| Mobile | $48,000 | 120 | -1% |
| Montgomery | $39,000 | 130 | +16% |
| Tuscaloosa | $38,000 | 50 | -16% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $55,000 | 180 | +57% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $57,000 | 1,220 | -3% |
| Prescott | $41,000 | 40 | +18% |
| Tucson | $49,000 | 260 | +8% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $41,000 | 180 | +28% |
| Fort Smith | $38,000 | 40 | -52% |
| Little Rock | $44,000 | 250 | +3% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $49,000 | 240 | +32% |
| Chico | $54,000 | 50 | +12% |
| Fresno | $47,000 | 240 | +7% |
| Los Angeles | $54,000 | 3,570 | +23% |
| Modesto | $46,000 | 140 | +32% |
| Napa | $59,000 | 60 | +50% |
| Oakland | $65,000 | 1,120 | +57% |
| Oxnard | $64,000 | 200 | -4% |
| Redding | $46,000 | 50 | +31% |
| Riverside | $53,000 | 560 | -35% |
| Sacramento | $55,000 | 820 | +32% |
| Salinas | $52,000 | 90 | -18% |
| San Diego | $51,000 | 1,310 | +40% |
| San Francisco | $55,000 | 1,340 | +89% |
| San Jose | $64,000 | 750 | +17% |
| San Luis Obispo | $47,000 | 70 | +15% |
| Santa Ana | $56,000 | 1,740 | +67% |
| Santa Barbara | $49,000 | 260 | +126% |
| Santa Rosa | $52,000 | 160 | +34% |
| Stockton | $46,000 | 100 | -31% |
| Vallejo | $51,000 | 70 | -13% |
| Visalia | $40,000 | 90 | -1% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $50,000 | 190 | +8% |
| Denver | $51,000 | 1,260 | +41% |
| Fort Collins | $46,000 | 180 | +113% |
| Greeley | $44,000 | 40 | -15% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $51,000 | 150 | -50% |
| Hartford | $58,000 | 290 | -29% |
| New Haven | $55,000 | 140 | -27% |
| Norwich | $53,000 | 50 | -39% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $47,000 | 60 | +86% |
| Wilmington | $53,000 | 230 | +0% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $55,000 | 1,290 | -26% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $49,000 | 210 | +57% |
| Deltona | $40,000 | 100 | -4% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $47,000 | 490 | -1% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $43,000 | 60 | +21% |
| Gainesville | $43,000 | 80 | -2% |
| Jacksonville | $46,000 | 390 | -9% |
| Lakeland | $46,000 | 230 | +77% |
| Miami | $51,000 | 1,110 | +58% |
| Naples | $49,000 | 100 | +34% |
| Ocala | $38,000 | 90 | +56% |
| Orlando | $44,000 | 1,550 | +113% |
| Palm Bay | $45,000 | 170 | +25% |
| Panama City | $42,000 | 90 | +103% |
| Pensacola | $45,000 | 250 | +147% |
| Port St Lucie | $43,000 | 70 | -12% |
| Sarasota | $44,000 | 180 | +5% |
| Sebastian | $40,000 | 60 | +105% |
| Tallahassee | $46,000 | 160 | +45% |
| Tampa | $47,000 | 800 | -2% |
| West Palm Beach | $48,000 | 550 | +49% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $51,000 | 960 | -42% |
| Augusta | $41,000 | 120 | -15% |
| Columbus | $41,000 | 70 | -5% |
| Macon | $58,000 | 40 | -33% |
| Savannah | $39,000 | 80 | -21% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $45,000 | 480 | +54% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $47,000 | 220 | +21% |
| Coeur Dalene | $42,000 | 70 | +121% |
| Pocatello | $32,000 | 40 | +124% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $53,000 | 50 | -26% |
| Chicago | $48,000 | 1,830 | -32% |
| Decatur | $50,000 | 60 | +113% |
| Springfield | $65,000 | 70 | -3% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhart | $37,000 | 60 | -17% |
| Evansville | $38,000 | 130 | +11% |
| Fort Wayne | $43,000 | 170 | +20% |
| Gary | $54,000 | 160 | -15% |
| Indianapolis | $50,000 | 600 | -6% |
| South Bend | $43,000 | 100 | +15% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $47,000 | 60 | -36% |
| Davenport | $46,000 | 70 | -46% |
| Des Moines | $45,000 | 170 | -27% |
| Dubuque | $39,000 | 40 | +19% |
| Waterloo | $36,000 | 40 | -29% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $47,000 | 60 | +125% |
| Manhattan | $29,000 | 60 | +84% |
| Topeka | $42,000 | 60 | -19% |
| Wichita | $37,000 | 210 | +4% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $40,000 | 40 | +14% |
| Lexington | $43,000 | 220 | +31% |
| Louisville | $42,000 | 420 | -3% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $52,000 | 400 | +52% |
| Houma | $36,000 | 50 | -20% |
| Lafayette | $47,000 | 80 | -18% |
| Monroe | $42,000 | 50 | +1% |
| New Orleans | $49,000 | 460 | +22% |
| Shreveport | $46,000 | 60 | -51% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $43,000 | 30 | -23% |
| Portland | $50,000 | 180 | +30% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $50,000 | 550 | -41% |
| Bethesda | $61,000 | 390 | -5% |
| Hagerstown | $43,000 | 40 | -38% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $52,000 | 60 | -9% |
| Boston | $52,000 | 1,810 | +45% |
| Framingham | $43,000 | 80 | -28% |
| Haverhill | $39,000 | 40 | -26% |
| Lowell | $52,000 | 30 | -63% |
| Springfield | $53,000 | 100 | -52% |
| Worcester | $53,000 | 40 | -77% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $47,000 | 90 | -22% |
| Detroit | $50,000 | 240 | -50% |
| Flint | $56,000 | 70 | -20% |
| Grand Rapids | $49,000 | 140 | -48% |
| Kalamazoo | $49,000 | 60 | -35% |
| Lansing | $40,000 | 60 | -56% |
| Warren | $56,000 | 680 | -12% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $43,000 | 70 | -20% |
| Mankato | $44,000 | 30 | -16% |
| Minneapolis | $52,000 | 1,170 | -8% |
| Rochester | $47,000 | 40 | -41% |
| St Cloud | $42,000 | 40 | -37% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $42,000 | 120 | +67% |
| Hattiesburg | $33,000 | 30 | -17% |
| Jackson | $52,000 | 130 | -27% |
| Pascagoula | $53,000 | 60 | +109% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $38,000 | 40 | -23% |
| Jefferson City | $38,000 | 50 | +4% |
| Joplin | $34,000 | 50 | -3% |
| Kansas City | $51,000 | 950 | +31% |
| Springfield | $42,000 | 140 | +6% |
| St Louis | $50,000 | 870 | -9% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $43,000 | 110 | +100% |
| Missoula | $36,000 | 50 | +52% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $45,000 | 120 | +9% |
| Omaha | $38,000 | 330 | -1% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $53,000 | 430 | -29% |
| Reno | $55,000 | 100 | -24% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $48,000 | 60 | -13% |
| Nashua | $48,000 | 80 | -14% |
| Portsmouth | $43,000 | 50 | +37% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $49,000 | 60 | -39% |
| Camden | $52,000 | 370 | -1% |
| Edison | $51,000 | 750 | +2% |
| Newark | $49,000 | 670 | -6% |
| Trenton | $52,000 | 130 | -18% |
| Vineland | $43,000 | 50 | +31% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $46,000 | 520 | +91% |
| Santa Fe | $50,000 | 60 | +51% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $44,000 | 370 | +16% |
| Binghamton | $45,000 | 30 | -60% |
| Buffalo | $45,000 | 240 | -39% |
| Nassau | $52,000 | 880 | -3% |
| New York | $57,000 | 3,460 | -7% |
| Poughkeepsie | $55,000 | 140 | -19% |
| Rochester | $46,000 | 320 | -11% |
| Syracuse | $43,000 | 170 | -23% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $38,000 | 100 | -18% |
| Charlotte | $50,000 | 680 | +11% |
| Durham | $48,000 | 160 | -17% |
| Fayetteville | $43,000 | 40 | -53% |
| Greensboro | $44,000 | 150 | -40% |
| Greenville | $44,000 | 30 | -31% |
| Hickory | $33,000 | 30 | -70% |
| Raleigh | $44,000 | 640 | +74% |
| Rocky Mount | $33,000 | 60 | +64% |
| Wilmington | $41,000 | 140 | +51% |
| Winston Salem | $43,000 | 130 | -11% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $40,000 | 100 | +139% |
| Fargo | $38,000 | 190 | +131% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $43,000 | 330 | +46% |
| Canton | $43,000 | 60 | -48% |
| Cincinnati | $45,000 | 620 | -15% |
| Cleveland | $41,000 | 390 | -47% |
| Columbus | $45,000 | 720 | +9% |
| Dayton | $46,000 | 120 | -56% |
| Toledo | $44,000 | 140 | -32% |
| Youngstown | $47,000 | 80 | -49% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $47,000 | 510 | +24% |
| Tulsa | $48,000 | 370 | +21% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $45,000 | 50 | +24% |
| Corvallis | $53,000 | 50 | +217% |
| Eugene | $44,000 | 120 | +25% |
| Medford | $40,000 | 40 | -21% |
| Portland | $48,000 | 800 | +9% |
| Salem | $44,000 | 100 | -2% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $47,000 | 270 | +10% |
| Altoona | $41,000 | 60 | +55% |
| Erie | $38,000 | 60 | -31% |
| Harrisburg | $42,000 | 320 | +42% |
| Lancaster | $43,000 | 220 | +34% |
| Philadelphia | $49,000 | 1,740 | +27% |
| Pittsburgh | $45,000 | 1,210 | +47% |
| Reading | $46,000 | 130 | +14% |
| Scranton | $39,000 | 160 | -12% |
| State College | $35,000 | 70 | +74% |
| Williamsport | $42,000 | 50 | +54% |
| York | $47,000 | 150 | +23% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $49,000 | 290 | -27% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $39,000 | 250 | +24% |
| Columbia | $46,000 | 180 | -27% |
| Greenville | $57,000 | 260 | +23% |
| Myrtle Beach | $49,000 | 50 | -31% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $36,000 | 60 | +47% |
| Sioux Falls | $38,000 | 130 | +37% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $60,000 | 140 | -12% |
| Johnson City | $53,000 | 50 | +7% |
| Knoxville | $45,000 | 270 | +15% |
| Memphis | $53,000 | 240 | -45% |
| Nashville | $54,000 | 530 | +0% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $40,000 | 40 | -1% |
| Amarillo | $38,000 | 40 | -44% |
| Austin | $48,000 | 1,090 | +94% |
| Beaumont | $43,000 | 140 | +27% |
| Brownsville | $29,000 | 70 | -21% |
| College Station | $31,000 | 90 | +48% |
| Corpus Christi | $38,000 | 100 | -19% |
| Dallas | $51,000 | 1,670 | +11% |
| El Paso | $36,000 | 200 | +5% |
| Fort Worth | $44,000 | 620 | +0% |
| Houston | $52,000 | 2,530 | +34% |
| Killeen | $40,000 | 70 | -20% |
| Laredo | $30,000 | 60 | +17% |
| Longview | $41,000 | 80 | +26% |
| Lubbock | $37,000 | 100 | +18% |
| Mcallen | $31,000 | 150 | -6% |
| Midland | $57,000 | 70 | +74% |
| San Angelo | $40,000 | 40 | +57% |
| San Antonio | $43,000 | 800 | +28% |
| Tyler | $39,000 | 90 | +51% |
| Waco | $36,000 | 30 | -55% |
| Wichita Falls | $32,000 | 40 | +14% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $43,000 | 60 | +104% |
| Ogden | $43,000 | 150 | +9% |
| Provo | $43,000 | 130 | +11% |
| Salt Lake City | $43,000 | 790 | +82% |
| St George | $44,000 | 50 | +76% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $45,000 | 90 | +20% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $47,000 | 50 | +29% |
| Charlottesville | $45,000 | 90 | +58% |
| Lynchburg | $39,000 | 50 | -24% |
| Richmond | $49,000 | 290 | -34% |
| Roanoke | $39,000 | 80 | -25% |
| Virginia Beach | $44,000 | 420 | -22% |
| Winchester | $41,000 | 30 | -3% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $53,000 | 60 | +25% |
| Bremerton | $51,000 | 90 | +65% |
| Kennewick | $66,000 | 240 | +261% |
| Olympia | $46,000 | 40 | -39% |
| Seattle | $49,000 | 1,270 | +26% |
| Spokane | $41,000 | 110 | -23% |
| Tacoma | $53,000 | 80 | -57% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $41,000 | 90 | -9% |
| Morgantown | $37,000 | 30 | -10% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay | $43,000 | 110 | -5% |
| La Crosse | $30,000 | 50 | +8% |
| Madison | $49,000 | 160 | -33% |
| Milwaukee | $46,000 | 320 | -46% |
| Wausau | $38,000 | 50 | +17% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $53,000 | 50 | +128% |
| Cheyenne | $41,000 | 100 | +284% |