How to become cadオペレーターeducation, training, experience, licenses and the steps to enter
Average annual pay
¥4.71M
≈ $29,943
Top pay (est.)
¥7.86M
Top 10% ¥6.81M
Pay in 5 years
¥4.99Mest.
2031
Pay in 10 years
¥5.29Mest.
¥4.55M–¥6.14M
Outlook score
37/100
★★☆☆☆ Below average
AI replacement risk
80%
High
Labor demand
Low
Openings-to-applicants 0.86x
How to become cadオペレーター
The typical path in Japan is shown by the education, training and experience of current workers above and in the Japanese guidance below. A detailed English guide for this occupation is being prepared.
Guidance from job tag (Japanese)
入職にあたって、特に学歴や資格は必要とされないが、コンピュータの操作の基礎のみならず、CADの様々なコマンドを利用できることが必須となる。関連の資格に「CAD利用技術者試験」や「建築CAD検定」がある。CADを使って仕様書や説明書を作るために各種ソフトを使いこなす技能や、設計技術者と正確なコミュニケーションを図るために図面を正確に読み取る技能、専門用語の意味や実際の施工・加工に必要となる知識、型式・性能など日本産業規格（JIS）の知識等、周辺の様々な技能・知識を修得することが求められることが多い。ある程度の数学の素養も必要である。
設計や図面作成などに興味を持ち、知識・技能を積極的に習得する意欲のある人が向いている。
設計や図面作成などに興味を持ち、知識・技能を積極的に習得する意欲のある人が向いている。
Skills, education and requirements for CADオペレーター
Key skills
Skill levels from the MHLW job tag worker survey.
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Working with ComputersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationGetting InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Important abilities
Problem SensitivityVisualizationMemorizationOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionSelective Attention
Licenses and certifications (Japan)
- ＣＡＤ利用技術者１級
- ＣＡＤ利用技術者２級
- 建築ＣＡＤ検定准１級
- 建築ＣＡＤ検定２級
- 建築ＣＡＤ検定３級
Related qualifications listed on job tag (names in Japanese). Some are mandatory, others recommended.
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience, licenses)
Career path and how to earn more as cadオペレーター
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by experience is shown in the Pay section.
Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: Basic Survey on Wage Structure (2025), Population Census and Hello Work employment statistics as published on the MHLW job tag site (retrieved Oct 31, 2026); Occupational Information Database (JILPT). Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.