Electrical and Electronics Drafters: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Electrical and Electronics Drafters fall under the Architecture and Engineering category in the U.S. occupational classification. Electrical and Electronics Drafters earn a median salary of $76,870 per year, ranking in the top 31% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -3.4% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do electrical and electronics drafters earn?

The median annual wage for electrical and electronics drafters is $76,870. That puts electrical and electronics drafters at #256 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is electrical and electronics drafters a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for electrical and electronics drafters is -3.4%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 18K positions in 2024 to 18K in 2034, a net change of <1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What education does my child need to become electrical and electronics drafter?

The standard path into electrical and electronics drafters begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Surveyors
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• Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
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• Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
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• Mechanical Drafters
  $71,550 median
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians
  $67,820 median
• Architectural and Civil Drafters
  $66,150 median

Common questions parents ask about electrical and electronics drafters