Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Electrical Drafter
What electrical drafters actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an electrical drafter?
Review engineer markups. From there, the day usually includes draw electrical plans, draw one-line diagrams, and create panel schedules. Full-time business hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an electrical drafter working full time.
- Review engineer markups.
- Draw a lighting plan.
- Build a panel schedule.
- Draw a one-line diagram.
- Coordinate with mechanical drafters.
- Check drawings.
- Issue revisions.
Where electrical drafters work
Drafters work in engineering offices, often remotely.
Hours and schedule
Full-time business hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Draw electrical plans
- Draw one-line diagrams
- Create panel schedules
- Draw control schematics
- Update drawings
- Check for errors
- Coordinate with engineers
Tools you’ll use every day
- AutoCAD Electrical
- Revit
- EPLAN
- Bluebeam
- Excel
- PDF tools
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Two-year path
- Remote options
- Office work
- Technical skill
What’s hard
- Declining employment
- Desk-heavy
- Revision churn
- Deadline pressure
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like technical drawing
- I’m detail-oriented
- I like electrical systems
- I want a two-year path
- I want remote options
- I like quiet work
Not sure? Take the free Electrical Drafter fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use ergonomic setups
- Follow code in drawings
- Protect project data
- Take screen breaks