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Boston Career Explorer

Architecture and Engineering

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

Also called: Computer-Aided Design Operator, Designer, Drafter, Drafting Technician (Drafting Tech), Electrical Designer, Electrical Drafter

Median pay in Greater Boston
$86,140
$41.41/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
340
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−4.6%
50 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Associate's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$52,830$60,280$86,140$105,140$124,470

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.
  • Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications, or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
  • Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets to be checked by an engineer or an architect.
  • Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
  • Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
  • Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure71 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 69
  • Language-model AIOE 65
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 78

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is higher, and some drafters already use AI tools. Software can help with drawing circuit layouts, wiring diagrams, and drawing sets, which is part of why Massachusetts is projected to need about 4.6% fewer of these jobs by 2034. Talking with engineers, interpreting design needs, and checking drawings against rules still depend on people.

Likely to change

  • Drafting circuit and wiring drawings
  • Assembling drawing sets and documentation

Still relies on people

  • Talking through design needs with engineers
  • Checking drawings against codes and regulations

What federal projections say

“Productivity change - share decreases as software capabilities allow drafters to perform work more rapidly.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

    Reading wiring and cable diagrams carries over to splicing, testing, and fixing lines, a hands-on job with lower AI exposure and long-term on-the-job training.

    Pay difference
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    MA growth
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    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

    Your knowledge of electrical layouts and installation instructions helps in power-line work, which has a high median pay of $111,490 and projected growth of 13.3%.

    Pay difference
    +$25,350 median
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    MA growth
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    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Structural Iron and Steel Workers

    Reading drawings and specifications carries over to steel work, which is learned through an apprenticeship and has a Boston median pay of $120,840.

    Pay difference
    +$34,700 median
    AI exposure
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    MA growth
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    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

8 programs near Boston

Related occupations

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