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Mechanical Drafters in Maryland

Thinking about a career as a Mechanical Drafters in Maryland? Here’s what you need to know. Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

What do Mechanical Drafters Make in Maryland?

The mechanical drafters working in Maryland, the typical annual salary is $77,300 per year (or about $37.16/hour).Pay can range from $50,410 at the 10th percentile to $115,390 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$50,410	$24.24
25th percentile	$56,740	$27.28
Median (50th)	$77,300	$37.16
75th percentile	$109,490	$52.64
90th percentile	$115,390	$55.48

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Maryland compared to the national average — is 0.55, indicating fewer mechanical drafters per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, mechanical drafters earn a median of $78,252 per year ($37.62/hour), lower than the Maryland median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 112,826 mechanical drafters nationwide. In Maryland alone, approximately 390 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 540 mechanical drafters.

Top Maryland Metros for Mechanical Drafters

The metro areas below employ the most mechanical drafters in Maryland.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	270	$81,710

Top States for Mechanical Drafters Employment

View the states that employ the most mechanical drafters work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	3,460
California	3,360
Ohio	2,130
Pennsylvania	2,070
New York	2,030
Wisconsin	2,010
Florida	1,970
Michigan	1,720
Washington	1,600
Indiana	1,590
Minnesota	1,450
Tennessee	1,250
North Carolina	850
Massachusetts	840
Missouri	820
New Jersey	780
Arizona	720
Illinois	710
Utah	610
Alabama	590

Highest-Paying States for Mechanical Drafters

Where mechanical drafters earn the most: mechanical drafters.

State	Annual Median Salary
New Mexico	$85,220
Colorado	$85,050
Vermont	$81,840
California	$80,430
Arizona	$80,270
Nevada	$79,710
Oregon	$79,660
New Jersey	$79,190
Maryland	$77,300
Texas	$76,740

Skills

The most important mechanical drafters skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for mechanical drafters, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
• Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
• 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.
• Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
• Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
• Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment.
• Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.
• Confer with customer representatives to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to installation of systems.
• Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
• Supervise and train other drafters, technologists, and technicians.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
• Getting Information
• Thinking Creatively
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe After Effects, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D In-demand technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Navisworks

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Drafting & Design Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Related Careers

Related occupations to mechanical drafters include:

• Software Developers
• Electrical Engineers
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
• Industrial Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Mechatronics Engineers

Also Known As

Aeronautical Drafter, Architectural Drafter, Auto Design Detailer, Auto Design Drafter (Automotive Design Drafter), Auto Design Layout Drafter (Automotive Design Layout Drafter), AutoCAD Designer, AutoCAD Drafter, AutoCAD Technician, Body Design Checker, Body Designer, CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer), CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer), CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter), CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter), CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman).

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 17-3013.00