Mechanical Drafters

Also Called: Drafter, Mechanical Designer, Mechanical Drafter

Associate's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$43,420

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Mechanical Drafters do

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

  • Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
  • Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  • Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing • Automotive & Machine Repair

Training Program Areas:

Drafting • OCT-Only Advanced Manufacturing

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Electronic Mail
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Freedom to Make Decisions

Tools

  • Scanners
  • Curves
  • Plotter printers
  • Scales
  • Graphics or video accelerator cards

Technology

Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Autodesk Revit
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
Trimble SketchUp Pro

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Learning
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics
  • Reading Comprehension

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
design
product and service development
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
physics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products

Education

  • 61% Associate's degree
  • 20% Bachelor's degree
  • 8% Post-secondary certificate

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Fabric & Apparel Patternmakers

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Tool & Die Makers

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Mechanical Drafters Currently Selected

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Commercial & Industrial Designers

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

    Tifton, GA

  • Academy of Careers and Technology

    Beckley, WV

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Investigative (Thinker)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Initiative
  • Cooperation

Values

  • Support
  • Working Conditions
  • Achievement

Abilities

  • Math
  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic

This is what Mechanical Drafters across the country typically make.

$20.88 / hour
$43,420 /year

Entry Level

$30.80 / hour
$64,060 /year

Median Level

$49.09 / hour
$102,110 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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