Architectural and Civil Drafters
SOC Code: 17-3011 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Architectural and Civil Drafters. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $52,978 | $72,696 | $92,435 | $112,154 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $48,984 | $69,430 | $89,856 | $110,302 |
| Anchorage, AK | $68,744 | $82,597 | $96,429 | $110,282 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $63,232 | $78,354 | $93,496 | $108,618 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $66,518 | $79,643 | $92,768 | $105,893 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $66,518 | $79,643 | $92,768 | $105,893 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $50,565 | $67,850 | $85,155 | $102,440 |
| Hammond, LA | $50,835 | $67,808 | $84,760 | $101,733 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $52,437 | $68,453 | $84,469 | $100,485 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $47,216 | $64,043 | $80,870 | $97,698 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| City of Philadelphia | 2 | $50,000 |
| Archiloggia, Inc. | 1 | $35,464 |
| Orcutt Winslow LLLP | 1 | $59,000 |
| Szostak Design Incorporated | 1 | $72,000 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | $45,155 |
| 2024 | 1 | $59,000 |
| 2025 | 1 | $72,000 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.5 | |
| Systems Analysis | 3.5 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 | |
| Active Learning | 3.4 | |
| Writing | 3.4 | |
| Mathematics | 3.2 | |
| Time Management | 3.2 | |
| Active Listening | 3.2 | |
| Monitoring | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Design | 4.3 |
| Building and Construction | 4.2 |
| Engineering and Technology | 4.2 |
| English Language | 3.8 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.8 |
| Mathematics | 3.6 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.1 |
| Administration and Management | 3.0 |
Typical Tasks
- Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
- Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
- Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
- Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
- Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
- Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
- Supervise and train other technologists, technicians, and drafters.
- Determine the order of work and method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Acrobat Adobe After Effects Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Autodesk Revit Bentley MicroStation C Dassault Systemes SolidWorks ESRI ArcGIS software Extensible markup language XML Microsoft .NET Framework
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