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Electrical and Electronics Drafters

The short answer

This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 1,388 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.

How much AI could touch this job

Most exposedband 5 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about half of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 93% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications, or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets to be checked by an engineer or an architect.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Select drill size to drill test head, according to test design and specifications, and submit guide layout to designated department.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Supervise or train other technologists, technicians, or drafters.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Industrial Engineers

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    +32% pay837 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 32% more—$105,509 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Oral Comprehension
    • English Language
    • Mathematics

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical
    • Science
    • Psychology
    • Customer and Personal Service
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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    Pays slightly less—$79,198 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Design
    • Written Comprehension
    • Mathematics

    New skills to build

    • Repairing
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Troubleshooting
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Mechanical
  • Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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    slightly less pay120 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$75,855 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Mathematics
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Computers and Electronics

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Customer and Personal Service
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    • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Electrical Engineers

    Very similar work
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    Pays about 53% more—$122,345 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Design
    • Oral Comprehension
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Physics
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    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Speaking
  • Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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    about the same pay96 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about the same—$80,402 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mathematics
    • Written Comprehension
    • Design

    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
    • Repairing
    • Physics
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    • Multilimb Coordination
  • Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

    Very similar work
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    Pays about 53% more—$122,513 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Mathematics

    New skills to build

    • Equipment Selection
    • Sales and Marketing
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    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Operation and Control
  • Mechanical Engineers

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    Pays about 32% more—$105,303 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Mathematics

    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
    • Physics
    • Science
    • Chemistry
    • Production and Processing
  • Architectural and Civil Drafters

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    Pays slightly less—$78,396 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Design
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • English Language
    • Mathematics

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
  • Computer Hardware Engineers

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    Pays about 110% more—$168,042 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Design
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Oral Comprehension
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Physics
    • Mathematics
    • Operations Analysis
    • Science
    • Telecommunications
  • Mechanical Drafters

    Similar work
    slightly less pay197 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays slightly less—$78,636 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Design
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mathematics
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
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  • Engineers, All Other

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    +51% pay1,540 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 51% more—$120,894 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Mathematics

    New skills to build

    • Physics
    • Science
    • Mechanical
    • Chemistry
    • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Commercial and Industrial Designers

    Somewhat similar work
    +15% pay148 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 15% more—$92,152 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Design
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mathematics
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical
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    • Originality
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  • Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

    Somewhat similar work
    about the same pay140 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about the same—$80,340 vs your $80,006 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Computers and Electronics
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics

    New skills to build

    • Repairing
    • Mechanical
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Production and Processing
    • Operations Monitoring