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All About Mechanical Drafters
Mechanical Drafter Example Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
What Do Mechanical Drafters Do On a Daily Basis?
- Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.
- Draw freehand sketches of designs, trace finished drawings onto designated paper for the reproduction of blueprints, and reproduce working drawings on copy machines.
- Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
- Shade or color drawings to clarify and emphasize details and dimensions or eliminate background using ink, crayon, airbrush, and overlays.
- Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
- Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
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Mechanical Drafter Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Mechanical Drafters say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Other Mechanical Drafter Job Titles
- Technical Designer
- Body Design Checker
- Mechanical Drafter
- Automotive Design Drafter
- Design Drafter
Is There Job Demand for Mechanical Drafters?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 64,800 jobs in the United States for Mechanical Drafter. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,400 new jobs for Mechanical Drafter by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 5,900 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Mechanical Drafter are Nevada, Connecticut, and Wyoming. Watch out if you plan on working in Washington, Vermont, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Mechanical Drafters Salary
The typical yearly salary for Mechanical Drafters is somewhere between $35,720 and $88,280.
Mechanical Drafters who work in Washington, New Mexico, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Mechanical Drafters make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $56,960 |
| Alaska | $72,880 |
| Arizona | $65,040 |
| Arkansas | $50,430 |
| California | $65,710 |
| Colorado | $63,450 |
| Connecticut | $66,590 |
| Delaware | $58,360 |
| District of Columbia | $50,500 |
| Florida | $54,610 |
| Georgia | $53,410 |
| Hawaii | $59,450 |
| Idaho | $48,430 |
| Illinois | $56,210 |
| Indiana | $51,610 |
| Iowa | $55,180 |
| Kansas | $50,210 |
| Kentucky | $53,950 |
| Louisiana | $66,150 |
| Maine | $56,880 |
| Maryland | $65,420 |
| Massachusetts | $57,500 |
| Michigan | $58,070 |
| Minnesota | $59,360 |
| Mississippi | $59,870 |
| Missouri | $54,470 |
| Montana | $53,230 |
| Nebraska | $50,100 |
| Nevada | $49,210 |
| New Hampshire | $58,350 |
| New Jersey | $68,200 |
| New Mexico | $69,930 |
| New York | $57,780 |
| North Carolina | $53,810 |
| North Dakota | $51,970 |
| Ohio | $53,690 |
| Oklahoma | $59,930 |
| Oregon | $57,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,280 |
| Rhode Island | $52,160 |
| South Carolina | $60,180 |
| South Dakota | $41,450 |
| Tennessee | $60,890 |
| Texas | $61,770 |
| Utah | $60,450 |
| Vermont | $53,600 |
| Virginia | $59,000 |
| Washington | $81,180 |
| West Virginia | $51,180 |
| Wisconsin | $52,390 |
| Wyoming | $54,650 |
What Tools & Technology do Mechanical Drafters Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Mechanical Drafters:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Extensible markup language XML
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Bentley Microstation
- PTC Creo Parametric
- Autodesk Revit
- Trimble SketchUp Pro
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Document management system software
- Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
Becoming a Mechanical Drafter
What kind of Mechanical Drafter requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Mechanical Drafter?
Where Mechanical Drafters Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Mechanical Drafters employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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