Mechanical Drafters
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 520 | $51,500 | $24.76 | |
| Arizona | 620 | $66,620 | $32.03 | |
| Arkansas | 280 | $48,170 | $23.16 | |
| California | 4,280 | $71,550 | $34.40 | |
| Colorado | 620 | $62,800 | $30.19 | |
| Connecticut | 500 | $65,720 | $31.60 | |
| Delaware | 210 | $57,370 | $27.58 | |
| District of Columbia | $50,630 | $24.34 | ||
| Florida | 2,320 | $63,430 | $30.50 | |
| Georgia | 970 | $60,340 | $29.01 | |
| Hawaii | 60 | $58,500 | $28.12 | |
| Idaho | 400 | $54,200 | $26.06 | |
| Illinois | 1,520 | $60,800 | $29.23 | |
| Indiana | 2,030 | $57,820 | $27.80 | |
| Iowa | 740 | $62,300 | $29.95 | |
| Kansas | 700 | $53,660 | $25.80 | |
| Kentucky | 520 | $56,090 | $26.97 | |
| Louisiana | 370 | $76,520 | $36.79 | |
| Maine | 380 | $62,400 | $30.00 | |
| Maryland | 1,570 | $71,310 | $34.28 | |
| Massachusetts | 1,300 | $65,550 | $31.51 | |
| Michigan | 2,130 | $62,100 | $29.86 | |
| Minnesota | 1,200 | $63,340 | $30.45 | |
| Mississippi | 290 | $58,640 | $28.19 | |
| Missouri | 1,690 | $56,750 | $27.28 | |
| Montana | 60 | $71,490 | $34.37 | |
| Nebraska | 480 | $52,260 | $25.13 | |
| Nevada | 200 | $56,620 | $27.22 | |
| New Hampshire | 170 | $65,930 | $31.70 | |
| New Jersey | 970 | $73,390 | $35.28 | |
| New Mexico | 130 | $66,820 | $32.13 | |
| New York | 2,040 | $69,120 | $33.23 | |
| North Carolina | 1,270 | $65,560 | $31.52 | |
| North Dakota | 80 | $60,100 | $28.90 | |
| Ohio | 1,890 | $60,620 | $29.14 | |
| Oklahoma | 730 | $61,200 | $29.43 | |
| Oregon | 390 | $62,730 | $30.16 | |
| Pennsylvania | 3,010 | $57,400 | $27.60 | |
| Rhode Island | 80 | $73,390 | $35.28 | |
| South Carolina | 610 | $60,950 | $29.30 | |
| South Dakota | 200 | $48,900 | $23.51 | |
| Tennessee | 690 | $57,760 | $27.77 | |
| Texas | 3,600 | $63,960 | $30.75 | |
| Utah | 670 | $57,520 | $27.65 | |
| Vermont | 70 | $74,520 | $35.83 | |
| Virginia | 1,080 | $62,720 | $30.15 | |
| Washington | 1,350 | $63,860 | $30.70 | |
| West Virginia | 160 | $62,800 | $30.19 | |
| Wisconsin | 2,490 | $56,840 | $27.33 | |
| Wyoming | 60 | $63,130 | $30.35 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing, manufacturing and testing aircraft, spacecraft and their systems. Includes instruction in aircraft/spacecraft systems technology, design and development testing, prototype and operational testing, inspection and maintenance procedures, instrument calibration, test equipment operation and maintenance, and report preparation.
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing, manufacturing and testing self-propelled ground vehicles and their systems. Includes instruction in vehicular systems technology, design and development testing, prototype and operational testing, inspection and maintenance procedures, instrument calibration, test equipment operation and maintenance, and report preparation.
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in the design and development phases of a wide variety of projects involving mechanical systems. Includes instruction in principles of mechanics, applications to specific engineering systems, design testing procedures, prototype and operational testing and inspection procedures, manufacturing system-testing procedures, test equipment operation and maintenance, and report preparation.
A program that prepares individuals to generally apply technical skills to create working drawings and computer simulations for a variety of applications. Includes instruction in specification interpretation, dimensioning techniques, drafting calculations, material estimation, technical communications, computer applications, and interpersonal communications.
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical skills and advanced computer software and hardware to the creation of graphic representations and simulations in support of engineering projects. Includes instruction in engineering graphics, two-dimensional and three-dimensional engineering design, solids modeling, engineering animation, computer-aided drafting (CAD), computer-aided design (CADD), and auto-CAD techniques.
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to develop working drawings and electronic simulations in support of mechanical and industrial engineers, and related professionals. Includes instruction in manufacturing materials and processes, mechanical drafting, electrode-mechanical drafting, basic metallurgy, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, blueprint reading, and technical communication.
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the use of three-dimensional (3-D) computer technology to create technical illustrations and models used in manufacturing, design, production, and construction. Includes instruction in 3-D computer-aided design (CAD), 3-D printing, 3-D model design and construction, and 3-D scanning.
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$62,650 per yearNational average salaryDecliningJob growth rate
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Associate's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as mechanical drafters.
- Less than high school 2%
- High school graduate 11%
- College dropout 24%
- Associate’s degree 33%
- Bachelor’s degree 24%
- Master’s degree 6%
- Doctorate degree 2%
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