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Architectural and Civil Drafters
Turns engineers' and architects' designs into detailed drawings.
Read the full guide
Drafters use CAD software to make the detailed drawings and 3D models that builders and manufacturers work from, for machines, buildings, roads and products.
Open the drafter (cad technician) guide
The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.
High school courses that build toward it
- Engineering Design · Career and Technical
Builds design and technical drawing, which this job uses.
- Geometry · Math
Builds math, which this job uses.
- Computer Science Principles · Computer Science
Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.
- Studio Art · Arts
Builds design and technical drawing, which this job uses.
- English 10 · English
Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.
- Physics · Science
Builds engineering, which this job uses.
Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.
Architectural and Civil Drafters on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.