What Education Do CAD Drafters (Designers) Need?
Today’s CAD designers will have to obtain, at the very minimum, an associate’s degree. Course work in this career field should ideally begin in high school, with a focus on art, science, computer technologies, math, and drafting. Upon entering college, students should continue to pursue courses they were unable to obtain in high school, as well as more courses in composition, engineering, technical drawing, manufacturing design processes, and CAD architectural drafting and dimensioning computer classes.
For those desiring a bachelor’s degree, most universities do not offer a 4-year degree in CAD design. However, there are viable degree choices to gain the educational experience required, such as in mathematics, engineering, computer architecture, and computer science. Some students opt to start an internship with an employer, after obtaining their associate’s degree and while pursuing a bachelor’s degree, as this helps enable them to choose the most appropriate degree and courses.
Job Responsibilities of CAD Designers
The primary job responsibility of designers will be the middle men and women who will have to bridge the gap between top level engineers and architects, and production/construction processes. In addition, CAD designers have to know how to read drawings and schematics to be able to answer questions posed to them by production/construction staff. Further, designers are going to have to become experts in their particular industry segment, as well as be proficient in basic drafting and the latest CAD computer technologies.
Salary Outlook for CAD Designers
Salaries for CAD designers are largely related to specific CAD industries. According to the www.payscale.com Statistics, in 2015 starting salaries for CAD designers ranged from $51,038 to just over $62,000 annually. Designers who specialized in electrical fields commanded the higher starting salaries, while careers in mechanical, civil, and architectural related fields started at the lower end. It is important to remember that these are median salary ranges and other factors, like the cost of living in a particular area, influence the starting salaries being offered by employers.
For employers, CAD designers provide the opportunity to save money, since they can be tasked with the bulk of layout, modification, and change work, and they eliminate the need to have to pay a much more experienced professional to do this work. In addition, new designers provide employers the ability to train them to fit with their specific industry segment and processes. As a result, the turn-around time on projects is faster and is still completed accurately and precisely, allowing the business to take on more clients and expand their operations.
CAD Drafters
If you are looking for experienced CAD drafters designers to assist with projects or other CAD drafting services, please feel free to contact Australian Design and Drafting Services at 1800 287 223 or 07 3149 3547 today.