About Drafting Jobs in Missoula, MT
Missoula 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 Missoula, Montana
Selling surfboards in Montana must be one of the most unusual Missoula jobs. The Strongwater Surf Company in downtown Missoula supplies gear and lessons to enthusiasts who surf Brennan’s Wave, one of two man-made surfing waves in the river that flows through the middle of Missoula. But Brennan’s Wave is not the only man-made wonder in the city. In 1909, students at the University of Montana climbed 1.75 miles to the top of Mount Sentinel to construct a 25-by-25 foot “M” made of rock. The landmark has since been replaced with a 125-by-100 concrete version.
Made famous by the movie “A River Runs Through It,” Missoula owes its beautiful topography of rivers and slopes to the last ice age, when it was submerged under 2,000 feet of water until a giant ice dam burst. Today, Missoulians enjoy cycling on 20 miles of bike lanes in the city, rafting on Alberton Gorge, and stand-up paddleboarding and fly casting on one of the city’s three rivers. If working in a picturesque city like Missoula is appealing to you, you might want to take a look at some other beautiful Montana areas like Billings, Bozeman, and Great Falls, as well.
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How Much Do Drafting Jobs Pay in Missoula, Montana?
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 Missoula, Montana, 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 Missoula is $20.77 per hour, which is 16% lower than the national average.
Find Your Next Missoula Drafting Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
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