# Electrical and Electronics Drafters

> Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-drafters
- SOC code: 17-3012.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $76,870 (10th percentile $50,040, 90th percentile $120,290)
- Projected growth: Decline, -3.4%
- Openings a year: 1,400
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 77 |
| Investigative (I) | 41 |
| Artistic (A) | 34 |
| Social (S) | 5 |
| Enterprising (E) | 15 |
| Conventional (C) | 76 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 94/100)
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (importance 92/100)
- Getting Information (importance 89/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 84/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 80/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 75/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 75/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 70/100)
- Processing Information (importance 70/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Speaking, Time Management, Coordination

## Knowledge

Design, Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics, English Language, Mathematics, Administrative, Education and Training, Public Safety and Security, Geography, Administration and Management

## Also called

Analog Design Engineer, Analog Integrated Circuits Design Engineer (Analog IC Design Engineer), AutoCAD Drafter, AutoCAD Technician, CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter), CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman), CADD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Drafter), Circuit Board Drafter, Circuit Designer, Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1513) (CIP 1513, 553 colleges)
- [Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1503) (CIP 1503, 553 colleges)
- [Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1504) (CIP 1504, 512 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/oklahoma-state-university-institute-of-technology-2018) | Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | $85,065 | $102,357 | not reported |
| [Metropolitan State University of Denver](https://www.collegesref.com/college/metropolitan-state-university-of-denver-1667) | Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $84,200 | $100,358 | not reported |
| [Texas A & M University-College Station](https://www.collegesref.com/college/texas-a-m-university-college-station-2694) | Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $78,810 | $99,943 | $20,000 |
| [Wayne State University-Michigan](https://www.collegesref.com/college/wayne-state-university-michigan-3181) | Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $68,259 | $96,821 | not reported |
| [Rochester Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rochester-institute-of-technology-2250) | Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $80,391 | $96,361 | $30,750 |
| [New England Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/new-england-institute-of-technology-1845) | Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $70,076 | $93,997 | $27,000 |
| [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona-362) | Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $73,679 | $91,709 | $14,589 |
| [CUNY New York City College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cuny-new-york-city-college-of-technology-745) | Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $61,142 | $91,486 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Mechanical Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-drafters): $71,550 median pay
- [Architectural and Civil Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architectural-and-civil-drafters): $66,150 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $78,190 median pay
- [Electronics Engineers, Except Computer](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electronics-engineers-except-computer): $130,220 median pay
- [Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $74,510 median pay
- [Electrical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-engineers): $120,630 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.