Over the past few years the demand for trained professionals seeking CAD (computer aided design) jobs has grown tremendously. Many people who are not familiar with the technology consider it to be little more than designing something in a digital space as opposed to drawing it on paper using more traditional methods. This could not be further from the truth, and in reality there are a wide variety of unique CAD jobs available now and more coming available in the future.
What Types of CAD Jobs Are Out There?
- CAD Drafter – A CAD drafter is someone who prepares technical drawings and plans. These plans are typically then used in engineering projects to produce and construct a finished design. The plans a drafter creates can be used to build anything from the smallest microchip to something as large as a building! Drafters are extremely important because they create the visual guidelines that will be used by a wide array of professionals including scientists, surveyors, and architects.
- CAD Technician – CAD technician positions come in a variety of disciplines including civil, electrical, mechanical, architectural, pipeline, and aeronautics. An aeronautical technician creates plans that will be used in goods such as aircraft; An architectural technician would create plans for buildings, and al electrical technician would create layout diagrams to be used for power plants and communications centers. Civil CAD technicians would create maps that would be used to aid in all kinds of construction projects and utility placement such as electrical and water lines. Pipeline or process piping technicians focus on the layouts of gas fields, refineries, and chemical related projects.
Of course there are other specialties available but these are some of the most prominent.
Working in the CAD Field
CAD drafters and technicians of all types have very similar working environments. Most will operate out of their own office spaces and have most of their work hours spent in front of a computer. For the most part CAD positions are full time or 40+ hours per week as CAD jobs are rarely part time.
Depending on a variety of factors including location and cost of living, a someone working in the Cad field could earn as much as $47,000 a year. Some specialties might earn more depending on the availability of professionals with the required skills to do the job.
The number of trained CAD professionals needed in the workforce is rising and this need is projected to only increase in the coming years.
14 Comments
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myles
May 20, 2013 at 7:21 pm
Engineering graphics is a field in itself which has evolved recently. Also it has a great scope , as designing of various structures and objects has to be done in this way only.
Gautham
May 21, 2013 at 4:52 am
There are several design jobs based on CAD, I’m trying to master it currently
Gautham
May 21, 2013 at 5:16 am
There are several CAD Based jobs, I’m trying to master it soon.
Sudipto
May 21, 2013 at 6:42 am
Hey Jason,
Nice post and Thanks for sharing this info with us. I have no knowledge about all this this but after reading this post I learned lots of good thinks and enhance my knowledge and this job really seems interesting.
Ann
May 21, 2013 at 7:03 am
I Really enjoyed your blog. I just bookmarked it. I am a regular visitor of your website I will share It with my friends .Thanks.
Ann
May 21, 2013 at 7:04 am
Post is very informative,It helped me with great information so I really believe you will do much better in the future.
vipin
May 21, 2013 at 2:21 pm
hi i am a mechanical engineer.. you have given just a basic knowledge about CAD jobs, but this is good.. at least it gives some idea…
Juztin
May 24, 2013 at 10:38 am
Great read and very informative! Your article contains valuable information to people who are into computer aided design jobs. I might as well try to learn this type of technology.
jenmmoore
May 24, 2013 at 12:53 pm
i have been wanting to know CAD but i have this enough time 🙁 ..someday soon, someday! Thanks for the share!!
santosh Kumar
June 15, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Great opportunity of CAD. lot of professionals are Involve in this field. all can earn good money.
Ramy
July 21, 2013 at 3:36 am
Great Article .. Thanks for sharing it , I learned A lot by reading this article .. Keep moving 🙂
Aidan
September 8, 2013 at 6:23 am
CAD!! a lot of friends have been asking me if i know CAD since i am a comsci grad but, unfortunately, i have not explored CAD. but it’s not yet late. i will make time to know CAD!! thanks for this share!! keep it up!
Shalin
September 13, 2013 at 7:02 am
CAD should be learnt properly as a professional course. Then only you can assure someone with a perfect design. I think drafters are the ones using CAD the most
Afton Jackson
January 23, 2020 at 6:00 am
I like that you introduced us to a specific line of work. My wife and I will need an engineer who is adept in the structural drafts as well. We will need a cad draftsman for the redesign of our house on our property.