Mechanical Drafters earn a median of $71,550 per year ($34.40/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 6.0% through 2035, with about 2,900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 17-3013
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Mechanical Drafter in four numbers
- Median pay
- $71,550a year, or $34.40/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $107K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -6.0%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,90042,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202542.1K
- Projected 203539.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 42.1K Projected 2035 39.6K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer), CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator), CAM Specialist (Computer Aided Manufacturing Specialist), Design Drafter, Die Designer, Drafter.
Pay
How much do Mechanical Drafters make?
Every mechanical drafter in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$71,550
Middle half earn $58,080 to $86,120
- 10th
- $48,360
- 25th
- $58,080
- 75th
- $86,120
- 90th
- $106,580
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,360 |
| 25th | $58,080 |
| Median | $71,550 |
| 75th | $86,120 |
| 90th | $106,580 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $71,550
- Median hourly wage
- $34.40/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $75,060
- People employed
- 39,960
Versus all US occupations
At $71,550, Mechanical Drafters earn 40% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $20,570 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 31% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $106,580 or more while the bottom 10% earn $48,360, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 45% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New Mexico pays the most at $89,940, and still leads at $97,536 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Mechanical Drafters the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New Mexico | $89,940 | $97,536 | 90 |
| 2Colorado | $85,280 | $82,754 | 580 |
| 3New Jersey | $83,380 | $76,633 | 690 |
| 4California | $82,510 | $74,521 | 3,640 |
| 5Texas | $79,380 | $81,787 | 4,630 |
| 6Louisiana | $77,730 | $88,122 | 420 |
| 7North Dakota | $77,570 | $87,197 | 100 |
| 8Washington | $76,820 | $71,786 | 1,690 |
| 9Maryland | $76,740 | $73,114 | 360 |
| 10New York | $76,490 | $70,876 | 1,940 |
Job outlook
Is Mechanical Drafter a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -6.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Drafters | −6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Mechanical Drafters to change -6.0% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 2,500 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,900 openings are projected each year, 6.9% of the 42,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of drafters is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 14,400 openings for drafters are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of drafters varies by occupation (see table).
Getting in
How to become a Mechanical Drafter
Drafters typically complete education after high school, often through a program at a community college or technical school. Some programs lead to an associate of applied science in drafting or a related degree. Others result in a certificate or diploma.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a Mechanical Drafter do?
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Drafters use software to convert the designs of architects and engineers into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.
Day-to-day tasks
- Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
- Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
- Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.
- Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
- Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Create bills of materials.
- Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most drafters work full time. Some work more than 40 hours a week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Active Listening3.3
- Mathematics3.3
- Active Learning3.3
- Speaking3.1
- Writing3.0
- Monitoring3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 |
| Active Listening | 3.3 |
| Mathematics | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Analysis3.4
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Quality Control Analysis2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
- Instructing2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Analysis | 3.4 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 |
| Instructing | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Mechanical Drafter?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Mechanical Drafter |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.0
- Conventional4.8
- Investigative3.8
- Artistic3.6
- Enterprising1.4
- Social1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Mechanical Drafter
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
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Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician
$74,510median a year
Most earn $48K to $106K
+1.3%Associate's - Production
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Production
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with mechanical drafters highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
- Mechanical Drafter$71,550
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $71,550 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Questions
Mechanical Drafter: frequently asked questions
How much do Mechanical Drafters make?
Mechanical Drafters earn a median of $71,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 40% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $34.40/hr. The middle half earn between $58,080 and $86,120. The top 10% earn $106,580 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Mechanical Drafter?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Mechanical Drafters.
Is Mechanical Drafter a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 6.0% over 2025–2035, a loss of 2,500 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Mechanical Drafter do?
Drafters use software to convert the designs of architects and engineers into technical drawings. A core O*NET task: modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Mechanical Drafters the most?
The highest state medians for Mechanical Drafters are New Mexico ($89,940), Colorado ($85,280), New Jersey ($83,380) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Mechanical Drafter?
O*NET scores Mechanical Drafters highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.