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Mechanical Drafters
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Other titles employers use
CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer) · CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator) · Design Drafter · Drafter · Drafting Technician · Mechanical Designer · Mechanical Drafter · Product Designer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
- Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
- Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
- Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Near Vision
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Visualization
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.0 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.1 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A two-year degree 61%
- A four-year degree 20%
- A certificate or some college 16%
- A master's degree 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Geographic information system
- Enterprise application integration software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,100
- Job openings each year
- 320
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- −4.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4,100 | 320 | −4.7% |
| Texas | 3,770 | 310 | 2.2% |
| Florida | 2,700 | 230 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,500 | 190 | −6.4% |
| Wisconsin | 2,380 | 190 | 1.3% |
| Michigan | 2,360 | 180 | −8.5% |
| New York | 2,150 | 0 | −3.6% |
| Indiana | 2,130 | 170 | −4.9% |
| Washington | 1,790 | 160 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 1,620 | 120 | −8.5% |
| Georgia | 1,500 | 120 | 2.7% |
| Illinois | 1,470 | 110 | −6.4% |
| Tennessee | 1,350 | 110 | −2.2% |
| Minnesota | 1,270 | 100 | −3.8% |
| New Jersey | 1,120 | 90 | −1.8% |
| Missouri | 1,090 | 90 | −4.4% |
| Maryland | 970 | 80 | −4.0% |
| Arizona | 890 | 70 | 4.7% |
| Virginia | 870 | 70 | −6.5% |
| North Carolina | 850 | 70 | — |
| Iowa | 800 | 60 | −1.2% |
| Colorado | 770 | 60 | 2.7% |
| Connecticut | 740 | 60 | 5.7% |
| Oklahoma | 690 | 50 | −6.8% |
| Utah | 670 | 60 | 15.5% |
| South Carolina | 660 | 50 | 1.5% |
| Nebraska | 620 | 50 | −3.1% |
| Kansas | 600 | 50 | −3.2% |
| Kentucky | 570 | 40 | −3.4% |
| Alabama | 440 | 40 | −2.2% |
| Oregon | 440 | 40 | 2.3% |
| Maine | 400 | 30 | −7.0% |
| Massachusetts | 310 | 20 | −6.1% |
| Arkansas | 270 | 20 | −3.6% |
| Nevada | 260 | 20 | −3.7% |
| Mississippi | 250 | 20 | 4.2% |
| Idaho | 210 | 20 | 16.7% |
| Louisiana | 200 | 20 | −4.8% |
| Delaware | 180 | 20 | −5.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| South Dakota | 160 | 10 | — |
| New Hampshire | 140 | 10 | −6.7% |
| West Virginia | 130 | 10 | — |
| New Mexico | 120 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Alaska | 80 | 10 | — |
| Montana | 80 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 80 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 70 | 10 | — |
| Rhode Island | 50 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Purdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 265
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
CUNY New York City College of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 96
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Rochester Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 92
- Admit rate
- 71%
- Annual cost after aid
- $29,000
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Degrees each year
- 89
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Ferris State University
- Degrees each year
- 84
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Indiana State University
- Degrees each year
- 77
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
University of North Texas
- Degrees each year
- 73
- Admit rate
- 72%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Indiana University-Indianapolis
- Degrees each year
- 65
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Compare every college offering drafting/design engineering technologies/technicians