One of the most compelling reasons to learn AutoCAD is to increase your employment options. As a major job market and a design capital, New York City offers many different job opportunities for job-seekers who are fluent in AutoCAD. This application is used within the architecture and construction industries to create blueprints and models. Engineers and Industrial Designers use it to create plans for their designs. It is also used by Interior Designers to design indoor spaces and Fashion Designers to create technical drawings of their designs.
Looking at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website is one way to learn about employment statistics for New York City. BLS says there are more than 10,000 Architects who work in New York City. This is the highest employment level in the country for this job. New York also leads when it comes to the employment of Interior Designers. About 7,200 work there. There are nearly 8,000 Fashion Designers and 7,000 Architectural and Civil Drafters. Other AutoCAD-related professions with a large number of jobs in New York City include Construction Manager (12,000 people) and Mechanical Engineer (6,700).
AutoCAD can help you find your way into many types of jobs. Learning it in New York City can also help you earn a higher salary. Job statistics show that a lot of AutoCAD-related jobs in New York City have higher salaries than in other parts of the United States. For example, BLS shows that if you’re an Architect in New York City, your annual mean wage is likely to be about $110,000. The national average wage for this job is $93,000, which is much lower. A New York City Mechanical Engineer can earn about $114,000 rather than $99,000, which is the national average for this job. Interior Designers earn about $75,000, compared to $62,000. Fashion Designers earn approximately $99,000, compared to $79,000 nationally. For an Architectural and Civil Drafter, the mean wage is $72,000, compared to $62,000 nationally.
What New York City industries are hiring AutoCAD experts?
AutoCAD is an industry-standard application within the architecture and construction industries, both of which generate a large number of jobs within New York City. In a recent City & State New York article titled “The 2024 Construction Power 100,” the authors explain that this city continually adds new construction projects. They state, “New York is constantly evolving, and the construction industry stands at the forefront of the evolution.” They go on to give some examples of current projects, saying, “New York City’s airports are undergoing a transformation, taking them from being a dreaded pit stop to becoming among the best in the country. The city’s transit system is getting a new bus terminal, new subway cars, subway infrastructure improvements, and a subway expansion up Second Avenue – much of it to be funded by a pioneering congestion pricing system. The real estate sector continues to plan new developments, remaking the city’s iconic skyline. New York’s clean energy transformation is working to address climate change and right environmental wrongs.” In total, they find that hundreds of thousands of new jobs are being created by construction projects in New York City.
According to the “2024-2026 New York City Construction Outlook Report” by the New York Building Congress and the New York Building Foundation, there is steady job growth in the New York City Construction industry, with about 138,000 private construction jobs. The authors find that residential construction comprises about 28% of construction spending. Non-residential construction makes up 31% of spending, with notable current projects including work on office buildings and healthcare facilities. They also report that government spending is an important part of New York City’s construction industry, stating, “Over the next few years, government spending on infrastructure development is projected to dominate the construction market.” Specific areas of development for government-related construction include Subway improvements, accessibility expansion, and housing development and preservation.
AutoCAD also has lots of uses in different types of design. It is a useful tool for product design. Interior and Fashion Designers also use it. New York City is famous around the world for its design companies, and it has jobs in all of these industries. Some people choose to move to New York City specifically to work in this field because of how famous it is. NYCEDC describes some of the many design industries in New York City. On the “Fashion” page of its website, it says that the fashion industry employs 4.6% of the workforce in the private sector and calls it “a major driver of New York City's economy.” It adds, “New York City is home to . . . some of the top manufacturers and ateliers, fashion schools, and more headquarters of fashion brands and retailers than any other city in the country.” According to NYCEDC, New York City has also become a hub for manufacturing. It explains, “The City is making key investments in talent, infrastructure, space, and funding to create a thriving industrial and manufacturing base that will empower economic growth and create quality jobs for New Yorkers across all five boroughs.”
How much do AutoCAD classes cost in New York City?
One great thing about learning AutoCAD in New York City is that you’ll have a lot of class options. This city has a number of schools that provide in-person training, including colleges and schools that specialize in design and technology classes. In addition, many schools now offer online AutoCAD training, which you can complete from anywhere you want. Class prices vary widely, depending on the type of class. Short, AutoCAD courses designed to cover the fundamentals might only cost a few hundred dollars. More comprehensive options, such as bootcamps or certification courses, might cost a few thousand dollars.
Another thing that students should think about when they are trying to evaluate the cost of learning AutoCAD is how much they will need to pay to use the AutoCAD software. Some classes let you use this application for free while you are enrolled in the course. If you want access so that you can practice outside of class, or you want to use AutoCAD after the class is over, you may need to pay. AutoCAD is an Autodesk application and is available by yearly or monthly subscription. Autodesk also offers a Flex option, where you can buy tokens that give you access for a 24-hour block of time.
How hard are AutoCAD classes?
Everyone learns in a different way, so there is no one answer to this question. The challenge you’ll find in learning AutoCAD will depend on how much related experience you already have. Students who know something about architecture, engineering, or design usually say that it’s easier to learn AutoCAD. Even if you don’t, though, there are lots of AutoCAD classes designed for beginners that are offered in New York City. In an AutoCAD class, a knowledgeable instructor can explain everything you need to know, starting with the basics. No matter what your level of existing knowledge is, most experts stress that when you learn AutoCAD, you should master foundational skills before you try to use more complex features. This is because advanced features typically build on basic skills. A strong foundation will also ultimately save you time by allowing you to work more efficiently and effectively within this application in the future. If you're considering a career in technical drafting or design, learning AutoCAD is a key step toward becoming a CAD Designer.
How long does it take to learn AutoCAD?
When you start learning AutoCAD, you’ll probably find that you can learn some basic skills within a few days or maybe a few weeks. It usually takes longer than that to master this application, though. This is because there are lots of different tools and techniques involved. When you take a class, you’ll work through all of the important skills one by one. Your teacher will also help you learn the best practices to use in AutoCAD and help make sure you don’t start learning any bad habits. Students often start out enthusiastic to learn to use AutoCAD as quickly as possible. But it’s important to remember that proficiency in this application also takes a lot of practice. Practice can help you reinforce your conceptual understanding of everything you learn in class and develop the muscle memory that will let you effectively use the many tools offered. Practice can also reveal areas where you need to improve. Between the time it takes to complete a class and the practice required, most people say that it takes close to a year to master AutoCAD.
