Mechanical drafters: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Mechanical drafters prepare layouts that show the details for a wide variety of machinery and mechanical tools and devices, such as medical equipment. These layouts indicate dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements needed for assembly. Mechanical drafters sometimes create production molds.
- Education Required
- Drafters generally need to complete postsecondary education in drafting. This is typically done through a 2-year associates degree from a technical institute or community college.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 7% (As fast as average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Licenses/Certifications
- The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) offers certification for drafters. Although not mandatory, certification demonstrates competence and knowledge of nationally recognized practices. Certifications are offered for several specialties, including architectural, civil, and mechanical drafting.
- Median pay: How much do Drafters make?
- $53,480 Annual Salary
- $25.71 per hour
Careers for Drafters
- Aeronautical drafters
- Architectural drafters
- Automotive design drafters
- Blueprint tracers
- Building drafters
- CAD designers
- CAD drafters
- Circuit board drafters
- Civil computer-aided design and drafting technicians
- Civil drafters
- Die designers
- Drafting layout workers
- Draftsmen
- Draughtsmen
- Electrical computer aided design and drafting technicians
- Electrical drafters
- Electrical systems drafters
- Electronic drafters
- Electronics drafters
- Gage designers
- Geological drafters
- Marine drafters
- Mechanical design drafters
- Printed circuit board drafters
- Structural drafters
- Tool and die designers
- Tool designers