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Mechanical Drafters

General Information

Description

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

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Manufacturing

Job Outlook

Overall employment of drafters is projected to decline 3 percent from 2021 to 2031. Despite decliningemployment, about 18,900 openings for drafters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Job Outlook

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Overall employment of drafters is projected to decline 3 percent from 2021 to 2031. Despite decliningemployment, about 18,900 openings for drafters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Similar Careers

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$60,200

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$78,430
$29,240
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Associate's degree 61%
  • Bachelor's degree 20%
  • Some college 7%
  • Post-secondary certificate 7%
  • Master's degree 2%
  • High school 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Design
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Mechanical
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Mathematics

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.