Drafters

Employment for drafters will decline by 1 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, although the employment outlook varies by specialty. It predicts the following employment outlooks by specialty through 2033:

• architectural and civil drafters: +1 percent
• electrical and electronics drafters: +4 percent
• mechanical drafters: -5 percent
• drafters-all other: -6 percent

Increasing use of CAD technology will limit the demand for less skilled drafters, but industrial growth and more complex designs of new products and manufacturing processes will create some demand for drafting services. In addition, drafters are beginning to break out of the traditional drafting role and increasingly do work traditionally performed by engineers and architects. Job openings will be available as drafters leave the field for other positions or retirement.

Offshoring of CAD-related work may reduce employment opportunities for drafters. Employment may also decline as CAD systems become even more powerful and easy to use, which is increasing the number of non-drafting professionals who can use this technology.

In recent years, virtual and augmented reality have been introduced into CAD systems, creating even more design options for drafters and technicians. In addition, Neural Concept (an artificial intelligence company) says that the "emergence of artificial intelligence and machine learning is poised to bring about significant changes to computer-aided design systems, making them smarter, more advanced features intuitive and efficient."