Irvine 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 Irvine, California
Initially roused into existence by The Irvine Company following urban development in the area in the 1960s, the city of Irvine is a master-planned municipality located right outside of Los Angeles. Even if it was only incorporated in 1971, Irvine rapidly expanded into an alluring series of architecturally themed "villages" while several colleges, universities, and tech corporations installed themselves there too. WalletHub listed it as the third-greenest city in the U.S., with thousands of acres of parks and open spaces, along with year-round nice weather in which to enjoy them (from warm-yet-arid summers to cool-yet-never-freezing winters).
Irvine jobs prosper thanks to a business-friendly environment, a flourishing startup scene, a multicultural community, and multiple headquarters for various brands—from Taco Bell and LA Fitness to In-N-Out Burger and Blizzard Entertainment. And the economy's future is looking vigorous as well. During the next decade, the city's job-growth rate is expected to increase at 40.2% (higher than the national average of 33.5%). WalletHub also ranked Irvine as the third-best place to raise a family in the country and released a study confirming the city's number-one spot for entrepreneurs in California. Additional job opportunities are available in Anaheim, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles.
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How Much Do Drafting Jobs Pay in Irvine, California?
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 Irvine, California, 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 Irvine is $27.60 per hour, which is 12% higher than the national average.
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