Compare careers

Factual side-by-side attributes from the imported O*NET and BLS OEWS datasets. No career is ranked or recommended.

Career A (or your current career)

Mechanical Drafters

Career B (or your target career)

Mechanical Engineers

Opens your browser print dialog — choose “Save as PDF”.

Comparison table

MetricMechanical DraftersMechanical Engineers
National median salary$71,550$104,110
Local median salaryNot publishedNot published
National employment39,960296,810
Typical educationNot recordedBachelor's Degree
Job zone34
Important skillsOperations Analysis, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Mathematics, Reading ComprehensionReading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Science, Mathematics
Related careersSoftware Developers, Electrical Engineers, Calibration Technologists and Technicians, Electronics Engineers, Except ComputerElectromechanical Equipment Assemblers, Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers, Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Career transition: skill overlap

Skill overlap

63%

12 of 19 target skills

Target-only skills

7

Current-only skills

0

Skill overlap compares O*NET skills rated at importance 3.0 or above for each occupation. It is a measure of listed skill overlap, not a probability of getting the job.

Shared skills

  • Reading Comprehension+0.9 level
  • Active Listening+0.4 level
  • Critical Thinking+0.5 level
  • Mathematics+0.8 level
  • Complex Problem Solving+1.3 level
  • Judgment and Decision Making+1.1 level
  • Operations Analysis+1.3 level
  • Active Learning+0.8 level
  • Speaking+0.1 level
  • Writing+0.9 level
  • Monitoring+1.0 level
  • Time Management+0.4 level

Only in Mechanical Engineers

  • Science
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Systems Analysis
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Technology Design
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Coordination

Only in Mechanical Drafters

  • None