About Drafting Jobs in Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo, Michigan
In 1942, the Glenn Miller song "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" brought fame to the Michigan city when it became the best-selling record in the U.S. and was nominated for an Academy Award. But if you're looking to apply for Kalamazoo jobs, there's a lot more to learn about the history of the "Celery City." Celery City? Kalamazoo was the celery capital of the world, and in the early 20th century, it launched the ad campaign: "fresh as dew from Kalamazoo." What else has happened in Kalamazoo? In 1923, Checker Motors Corporation of Kalamazoo made cars that became known as Checker Taxis. And Orville Gibson crafted the first Gibson guitar in his Kalamazoo wood shop, opened in 1902.
Today, the city with the funny name is known for its agriculture and paper products. West Michigan University in Kalamazoo is one of a handful of colleges that offer programs in paper engineering based in chemistry rather than forestry. If you'd like a job in Kalamazoo, you might also want to look at other notable Michigan cities, including Battle Creek, Lansing, and Grand Rapids.
Update Your Kalamazoo Drafting Resume
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How Much Do Drafting Jobs Pay in Kalamazoo, Michigan?
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 Kalamazoo, Michigan, 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 Kalamazoo is $26.85 per hour, which is 9% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Kalamazoo Drafting Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in drafting? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those drafting jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Kalamazoo, how to nail your job interview, and more.