The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.
Employment
Major employers:
- Engineering and architectural firms
- Construction companies
- Machinery manufacturers
Outlook
Demand is expected to decline for drafters. As architects and engineers become more familiar with CAD programs and building information modeling (BIM) technologies, less work is available for drafters. Growth for mechanical drafters will vary depending on the economy.
Competition is strong for all types of drafters. More people are graduating from training programs and exceed the number of job openings. Job prospects are best for people with formal training and certifications.
Drafters (CIS 100301)
| Location | Employment | & | Growth | >>>> | Annual openings | |
| This occupation |
All occupations |
|||||
| Illinois |
5,274 Medium |
& |
-0.7% |
8.2% |
>>>> |
491 Moderate |
| Champaign Area |
81 Small |
& |
-2.5% |
5.2% |
>>>> |
8 Very few |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area |
86 Small |
& |
-3.5% |
2.9% |
>>>> |
7 Very few |
| Cook County |
2,393 Medium |
& |
-1.4% |
9.2% |
>>>> |
219 Moderate |
| Decatur Area |
52 Small |
& |
0.0% |
3.8% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area |
233 Medium |
& |
4.7% |
10.3% |
>>>> |
24 Very few |
| Du Page County |
699 Medium |
& |
-2.4% |
8.8% |
>>>> |
63 Few |
| Edwardsville Area |
122 Small |
& |
12.3% |
12.4% |
>>>> |
12 Very few |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area |
20 Very small |
& |
-10.0% |
-0.2% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area |
51 Small |
& |
-7.8% |
6.0% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Lake County |
264 Medium |
& |
5.7% |
11.7% |
>>>> |
26 Very few |
| McHenry County |
94 Small |
& |
-3.2% |
7.6% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area |
37 Very small |
& |
0.0% |
4.4% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| Northwest Illinois Area |
89 Small |
& |
-3.4% |
4.3% |
>>>> |
8 Very few |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area |
251 Medium |
& |
-4.0% |
4.5% |
>>>> |
23 Very few |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area |
33 Very small |
& |
0.0% |
3.5% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Rock Island-Moline Area |
86 Small |
& |
1.2% |
5.6% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| Rockford Area |
162 Medium |
& |
-8.0% |
6.6% |
>>>> |
14 Very few |
| Shawnee National Forest Area |
8 Very small |
& |
-12.5% |
1.1% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Springfield Area |
79 Small |
& |
-10.1% |
4.6% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| St Louis-Belleville Area |
121 Small |
& |
0.0% |
0.9% |
>>>> |
11 Very few |
| Will County |
225 Medium |
& |
4.0% |
14.9% |
>>>> |
23 Very few |
| United States |
178,500 Large |
& |
-1.6% |
2.8% |
>>>> |
15,300 Moderate |