Mechanical Drafters

Overview

Mechanical Drafters has a national median salary of $71,550 per year, with -6% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

Work Values

• Support
• Working Conditions
• Achievement

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
• Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
• Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
• Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
• Getting Information
• Thinking Creatively
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Processing Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Detailed Work Activities

• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for an associate's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Mechanical Drafters:

Video Resources