About Drafting Jobs in Tacoma, WA
Tacoma 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 Tacoma, Washington
It's clear why Tacoma residents love their city. The "Mother of Waters" overlooks Puget Sound with a breathtaking view of Mt. Rainier. Point Defiance Park in Tacoma is the second-largest urban park in the U.S., right behind NYC's Central Park. Its 760 acres offer hiking, gardens, and even a zoo. It's only five miles from downtown, so people with Tacoma jobs can enjoy the park on their lunch break or after work.
There's another reason to keep your eye on Tacoma. The city has a love affair with glass. The Museum of Glass was built in 2002 to celebrate art glass and glassmaking and hosts more than 100,000 visitors each year. There's also a glassblowing studio, a bridge made of glass, and a botanical conservatory with a 12-sided dome made of 3,000 panes of glass.
Tacoma is on the list of the most livable areas in the U.S. by Livability.com. State Farm Insurance, Boeing, and Expedia must have seen the windows of opportunity in the city since they have a presence in Tacoma. If you're interested in looking at jobs in Tacoma, you can also check out the nearby cities of Lakewood, Federal Way, and Puyallup.
Update Your Tacoma Drafting Resume
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How Much Do Drafting Jobs Pay in Tacoma, Washington?
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 Tacoma, Washington, 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 Tacoma is $25.34 per hour, which is 4% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Tacoma Drafting Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
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