Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia's population of more than 1.5 million people makes it the sixth largest city in the U.S. You may know the Philadelphia Museum of Art for its "Rocky steps," but the city is about more than Philly cheesesteaks and boxing. The City of Brotherly Love is also one of the oldest cities in the nation and is home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center. Its downtown district is rich with restaurants, marketplaces, museums, and historic neighborhoods where you can dine at Bella Vista or bask in the centuries-old architecture in Logan Square. If you're ready to make Philadelphia your home, you can search for Philadelphia jobs on Monster.
With one of the largest workforces in the U.S., Philadelphia is a great place to find work. And the cost of living isn't so bad either. Even if you don't find that dream job in Philly, there are 18 Fortune 500 companies within an hour's drive of the city. You can also check out job opportunities in other Pennsylvania cities such as Reading, Allentown, and Lancaster.
Update Your Philadelphia Drafting Resume
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How Much Do Drafting Jobs Pay in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 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 Philadelphia is $26.45 per hour, which is 8% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, how to nail your job interview, and more.