# Mechanical Drafters

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-drafters
- SOC code: 17-3013.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $71,550 (10th percentile $48,360, 90th percentile $106,580)
- Projected growth: Decline, -6.0%
- Openings a year: 2,900
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 83 |
| Investigative (I) | 47 |
| Artistic (A) | 44 |
| Social (S) | 3 |
| Enterprising (E) | 6 |
| Conventional (C) | 64 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 96/100)
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (importance 82/100)
- Getting Information (importance 78/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 71/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 69/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 68/100)
- Processing Information (importance 67/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 66/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 66/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 63/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Operations Analysis, Active Learning, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring

## Knowledge

Design, Engineering and Technology, Mechanical, Mathematics, Production and Processing, Computers and Electronics, Physics, English Language, Customer and Personal Service, Education and Training

## Also called

Aeronautical Drafter, Auto Design Drafter (Automotive Design Drafter), Auto Design Layout Drafter (Automotive Design Layout Drafter), AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer), AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter), AutoCAD Technician (Auto Computer-Aided Design Technician), CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer), CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer), CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter), CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1513) (CIP 1513, 553 colleges)
- [Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1508) (CIP 1508, 319 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [California State University Maritime Academy](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-maritime-academy-363) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $97,197 | $126,209 | $26,935 |
| [University of Massachusetts-Lowell](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-massachusetts-lowell-2953) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | not reported | $120,219 | not reported |
| [Metropolitan State University of Denver](https://www.collegesref.com/college/metropolitan-state-university-of-denver-1667) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $73,430 | $98,267 | $23,407 |
| [Wayne State University-Michigan](https://www.collegesref.com/college/wayne-state-university-michigan-3181) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $70,466 | $97,257 | not reported |
| [Farmingdale State College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/farmingdale-state-college-941) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $62,701 | $91,941 | $15,000 |
| [University of Maine Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-maine-main-campus-2938) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $71,830 | $91,879 | $22,000 |
| [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona-362) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $72,141 | $91,230 | $16,815 |
| [Central Connecticut State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/central-connecticut-state-university-461) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $77,570 | $90,472 | $25,500 |

## Related careers

- [Electrical and Electronics Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-drafters): $76,870 median pay
- [Architectural and Civil Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architectural-and-civil-drafters): $66,150 median pay
- [Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $74,510 median pay
- [Model Makers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/model-makers-metal-and-plastic): $63,340 median pay
- [Commercial and Industrial Designers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/commercial-and-industrial-designers): $83,910 median pay
- [Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/layout-workers-metal-and-plastic): $63,870 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.