Occupations/17-3013.00

Mechanical Drafters

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

Certificate or two-year

Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.

AI automation risk

75%

Higher automation risk

Human characteristics

36%

Fewer uniquely human demands

Task orientation

64%

Higher automation risk

A day in this job

  • Mostly routine

    Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.

  • Mostly routine

    Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.

  • Task

    Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.

The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.

Core tasks

  1. 01Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
  2. 02Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  3. 03Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
  4. 04Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
  5. 05Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
  6. 06Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.

Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)

  • Repeating same tasks3.54
  • Degree of automation1.88
  • Time sitting4.40
  • Originality (ability)3.25
  • Conflict situations2.40
  • Hands-on objects/tools3.07
  • Outdoors / weather1.13
  • Disease exposure1.00
  • Decision freedom4.45

Top abilities

  • Near Vision3.75
  • Visualization3.50
  • Mathematical Reasoning3.50
  • Written Expression3.25
  • Speech Recognition3.25
  • Speech Clarity3.25
  • Selective Attention3.25
  • Originality3.25

Essential skills

  • Reading Comprehension3.25
  • Active Listening3.25
  • Writing3.00
  • Speaking3.12
  • Mathematics3.25
  • Science1.88
  • Critical Thinking3.25
  • Active Learning3.25
  • Learning Strategies2.88
  • Monitoring3.00

CIP matches

15.0801Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician15.0803Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician15.0805Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician15.1301Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General15.1302CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician15.1306Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD15.13073-D Modeling and Design Technology/Technician

Schools offering related programs

12 of 27 shown

Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.

InstitutionProgramTuitionAdmitGrad 6-yrEarnings

City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College

Chicago, IL · Public

Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician

15.0801

$4,600100%27%

1 yr —

2 yr $94,408

Master's · CIP 15.08

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit

Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician

15.0801

$48,80087%85%

1 yr $75,204

2 yr $74,200

Bachelor's · CIP 15.08

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public

Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician

15.0801

$10,00053%83%

1 yr $65,424

2 yr $59,756

Bachelor's · CIP 15.08

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician

15.0801

$12,00090%69%

1 yr $62,260

2 yr $55,512

Bachelor's · CIP 15.08

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN · Public

Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician

15.0801

$9,70071%62%

1 yr $60,839

2 yr $56,544

Bachelor's · CIP 15.08

Community College of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA · Public

Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician

15.0801

$5,200100%21%

1 yr $58,303

2 yr $54,585

Bachelor's · CIP 15.08

Houston Community College

Houston, TX · Public

Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician

15.0801

$4,300100%24%

1 yr $57,826

2 yr $53,671

Bachelor's · CIP 15.08

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician

15.0801

$7,10040%74%

1 yr $53,775

2 yr —

Bachelor's · CIP 15.08

Saint Paul College

St. Paul, MN · Public

Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General

15.1301

$6,100100%29%

1 yr —

2 yr $52,107

Associate · CIP 15.13

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public

Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician

15.0801

$19,60055%86%

1 yr $50,439

2 yr $45,696

Associate · CIP 15.08

Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Minneapolis, MN · Public

Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General

15.1301

$5,900100%28%

1 yr —

2 yr $48,823

Certificate · CIP 15.13

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, NC · Public

Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General

15.1301

$2,900100%31%

1 yr $47,650

2 yr $45,277

Bachelor's · CIP 15.13