Mechanical Drafters Career, Salary and Skills
Mechanical Drafters have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $71,550 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 39,960. Wage data is published for 228 locations.
Occupation description
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
O*NET code
17-3013.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Not recorded
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$71,550
Hourly median
$34.40
Employment
39,960
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.38 | 3.62 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Mathematics | 3.25 | 3.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.25 | 3.88 |
| Active Learning | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Active Listening | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Speaking | 3.12 | 3.75 |
| Writing | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 3.12 |
Typical tasks
- Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
- 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.
- 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.
Technology
- 1CadCam Unigraphics
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe LiveMotion
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Autodesk Inventor
- Autodesk Mechanical
- Autodesk Navisworks
- Autodesk Revit
- Bentley MicroStation
- Bentley Navigator
- Bill of materials software
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
Mechanical Drafters salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in TXMedian $79,380 · Employment 4,630
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in CAMedian $82,510 · Employment 3,640
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in PAMedian $63,480 · Employment 2,330
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in MIMedian $72,280 · Employment 2,030
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in NYMedian $76,490 · Employment 1,940
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in OHMedian $70,580 · Employment 1,790
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in WAMedian $76,820 · Employment 1,690
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in WIMedian $63,770 · Employment 1,630
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $83,200 · Employment 1,620
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in FLMedian $68,050 · Employment 1,540
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $80,780 · Employment 1,480
- Mechanical Drafters Salary in NCMedian $59,050 · Employment 1,350
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- Civil Engineering Technologists and TechniciansNational median $64,950
- Industrial EngineersNational median $102,440
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.