Buffalo Drafting Jobs Overview
Do you have a hard time choosing between a creative and technical career? Consider applying for drafting jobs, where you can combine your artistic abilities with your computer skills to help craft new buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. Drafters—also known as draftsmen, draftspeople, or drafting technicians—translate the ideas of architects and engineers into technical drawings that are easy for construction or manufacturing crews to read and build. In this career, you'll be following in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci, who many consider to be one of the first master drafters—his technical drawings of inventions were revolutionary.
Today, most drafters use computer-aided design (CAD) software or computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software. Drafters can also draw by hand using a tilting table or a drafting machine, but this is mostly limited to the concept stage. Software is used for the final design.
Drafters usually specialize in one of the following areas:
- Mechanical drafters prepare diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices.
- Architectural drafters work with architects to produce designs for buildings and infrastructure.
- Civil drafters work with civil engineers to create maps, drawings, and diagrams of buildings and infrastructure.
- Electrical and electronic drafters work with electrical and electronic engineers to produce diagrams and drawings of equipment and parts.
You can expand your search for engineering jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Buffalo, New York
Most people will think of tangy sauce slathered over chicken wings when they envision Buffalo, but the second-largest city in the state of New York has lots more going for it. Some quick, fun facts: It has the first and oldest coordinated urban parks system in the country; the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library features a Rare Book Room with the original manuscript for Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; and the area boasts no less than five Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, including the phenomenal Martin House (a designated National Historic Landmark).
Buffalo jobs were originally supported by shipments arriving down the Erie Canal, and have now branched out into various sectors, including logistics, banking, healthcare, and tourism. Viticulture is becoming popular too, and Buffalo's cost of living is 20.5% lower than the U.S. average. Winters may be harsh and snowy, but spring, summer, and early fall climates are usually very accommodating—and you're just 20 miles away from the magnificent Niagara Falls. Also, consider looking around Rochester, Albany, and New York City for additional job opportunities.
Update Your Buffalo Drafting Resume
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How Much Do Drafting Jobs Pay in Buffalo, New York?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in drafting jobs in Buffalo, New York, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median drafter pay in Buffalo is $22.21 per hour, which is 9% lower than the national average.
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