Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
National median · BLS
$71,550
▲ +4.44%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$75,060
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
39,960
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Mechanical Drafters
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$48,360
25th
$58,080
Median (50th)
$71,550
75th
$86,120
90th — top pay
$106,580
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Mechanical Drafters
BLS projects employment of mechanical drafters to decline 6% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 2,900 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
42,100 → 39,600
-2,500 jobs
Projected change
-6%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
2,900
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
No related experience required
Self-employed
5.1% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: 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. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What mechanical drafters do
Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
Create bills of materials.
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.
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Mechanical Drafters, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $71,550.
