CAD software and technology are used extensively in the following businesses and industries:
- Architecture
- Biomechanical systems
- Building engineering
- Civil engineering and infrastructure such as roads, highways, railroads and tunnels
- Construction
- Consumer goods
- Digital circuit design
- Electrical engineering
- Electronic and electrical (ECAD)
- Electronic design automation (EDA)
- Factory and plant design and layout
- Fashion design, apparel and textile CAD
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
- Industrial design
- Landscape architecture and garden design
- Manufacturing process planning
- Mapping and surveying
- Mechanical engineering (MCAD)
- Power systems engineering
- Software applications
- Transportation engineering, from automotive to shipbuilding to aerospace
- Water supply, storm drain, wastewater and sewer systems and hydraulic engineering
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CAD-related technology is critical to a number of high-demand careers. CAD-related occupations include the following, with estimated job growth and salaries nationally*:
| Job |
Hourly Rate |
Annual Salary |
Projected Growth Through 2014 |
| Architects |
$30.22 |
$62,900 |
+17% |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters |
$19.42 |
$40,400 |
+ 5% |
| Civil Engineering Technicians |
$18.85 |
$39,200 |
+14% |
| Civil Engineers |
$31.82 |
$66,200 |
+17% |
| Electrical Engineering Technicians |
$23.10 |
$48,000 |
+10% |
| Electrical Engineers |
$35.40 |
$73,500 |
+12% |
| Electronics Engineers |
$37.52 |
$78,000 |
+10 % |
| Industrial Engineering Technicians |
$21.77 |
$45,300 |
+10 % |
| Industrial Engineers |
$32.05 |
$66,700 |
+16 % |
| Landscape Architects |
$26.07 |
$54,200 |
+19 % |
| Mechanical Drafters |
$20.84 |
$43.300 |
+ 5 % |
| Mechanical Engineers |
$32.49 |
$67,600 |
+11 % |
* Source: America’s Career Infonet, with statistics from 2005 and job opening growth rates projected through 2014 across the nation.
Links to Industry Publications and Professional Organizations
Note: Links to the following Internet sites are provided for your convenience and information, and do not constitute official endorsement by DCCCD.
- AEC Newsroom, an online magazine for architectural, engineering and construction professionals.
- American Design Drafting Association International (ADDA), a professional organization for drafters, designers, architects, illustrators, graphic artists and digital and multimedia technicians.
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a professional organization for mechanical engineers, offers a student membership.
- Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA) is a professional organization that sponsors its own conferences, competitions and awards.
- AutoCAD Magazine, a Spanish-language publication (based in Spain), offering in-depth news and information about AutoCAD-related topics.
- Cadalyst, one of the oldest CAD magazines, is available in electronic and print editions, providing industry-wide CAD reviews and analysis.
- CADCAMNet, an online magazine for CAD industry news and reviews particularly focused on mechanical CAD and engineering.
- CAD Digest is a free online CAD magazine with news and information about dozens of specific CAD software programs.
- CAD Society encourages open communication among those who make their living in the CAD industry.
- DE Online — Desktop Engineering magazine is available in print as well as online as a resource for mechanical engineers with insight into various MCAD software programs.
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) calls itself the world’s leading professional association for the advancement of technology, and offers publications, conferences, industry standards and information on education and careers.
- upFront.eZine is one of the oldest and most popular electronic CAD newsletters and has been reporting on CAD software since 1985.
- U.S. National CAD Standard (NCS) is the only comprehensive U.S. CAD standard for the design, construction and facility management industries. It establishes a common language for the building design and documentation process.
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