What do they do?
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Also known as:
CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer), CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer), CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter), CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator), CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator), CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician), CAM Specialist (Computer Aided Manufacturing Specialist), Design Drafter, Design Technician, Detail Drafter, Drafter, Drafting Technician, Installation Drafter, Mechanical Designer, Mechanical Drafter, Piping Designer, Product Designer, Project Designer, Tool Design Drafter, Tool Designer
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Ranks #44 in job growth rate140Job Openings
Ranks #14 in net job growth
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- Associate's degree (35%)
- Bachelor's degree (23%)
- Some college, no degree (23%)
- High school diploma equivalent (12%)
- Master's degree (4%)
- Less than high school diploma (2%)
- Doctorate or Professional Degree (1%)
Most Popular Majors that prepare Mechanical Drafters
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#1
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Degrees Granted
1,274
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Female Students
356
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Male Students
918
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Median Starting Salary
$43,300
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#2
-
Degrees Granted
365
-
Female Students
32
-
Male Students
333
-
Median Starting Salary
$58,100
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#3
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Degrees Granted
258
-
Female Students
37
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Male Students
221
-
Median Starting Salary
$58,100
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People in this career often know a lot about:
- Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
People in this career often have talent in:
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
- Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
People in this career often do these activities:
- Create graphical representations of mechanical equipment.
- Create images or other visual displays.
- Design electromechanical equipment or systems.
- Analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems.
- Verify mathematical calculations.
- Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
- Discuss designs or plans with clients.
- Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
This page includes data from:
Career data: O*NET 28.3 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
Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics
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