17
Mechanical Drafters is a notable career in the 17 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Mechanical Drafters against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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13
| soc | 17-3013 |
| title | Mechanical Drafters |
| onet code | 17-3013.00 |
| description | Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information. |
| job zone | 3 |
| major group | 17 |
| tot emp | 39,900 |
| a mean | 74,040 |
| a median | 68,510 |
| a pct10 | 46,500 |
| a pct25 | 56,470 |
| a pct75 | 85,580 |
| a pct90 | 107,600 |
| h mean | 35 |
| h median | 32 |
The day-to-day work of a mechanical drafters typically centers on develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (cad) equipment. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and Active Learning. Across the top 10 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.15 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working mechanical drafters, the most common entry qualification is a Associate's Degree (or other 2 (61.3%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 23% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
Median annual pay is highest in New Mexico at $85,220 and lowest in Alabama at $49,580 — a 1.7× spread. The top five states (New Mexico, Colorado, Vermont, California, Arizona) average $82,562. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $85,220 | $90,600 | $59,500 | $124,800 | 120 |
| Colorado | $85,050 | $89,150 | $55,990 | $136,580 | 480 |
| Vermont | $81,840 | $75,980 | $52,410 | $103,140 | 60 |
| California | $80,430 | $86,550 | $52,070 | $125,990 | 3,360 |
| Arizona | $80,270 | $74,830 | $44,520 | $102,900 | 720 |
| Nevada | $79,710 | $82,300 | $48,160 | $122,820 | 240 |
| Oregon | $79,660 | $83,700 | $50,740 | $130,690 | 470 |
| New Jersey | $79,190 | $82,830 | $50,400 | $120,000 | 780 |
| Maryland | $77,300 | $80,710 | $50,410 | $115,390 | 390 |
| Texas | $76,740 | $82,310 | $49,030 | $126,870 | 3,460 |
| Rhode Island | $76,390 | $76,140 | $57,100 | $94,110 | 90 |
| Louisiana | $75,230 | $83,470 | $40,430 | $138,420 | 370 |
| Washington | $75,190 | $85,200 | $51,950 | $143,010 | 1,600 |
| Michigan | $74,390 | $77,780 | $49,260 | $112,410 | 1,720 |
| Kansas | $73,800 | $74,460 | $45,980 | $104,320 | 460 |
| Minnesota | $73,140 | $73,340 | $56,050 | $97,500 | 1,450 |
| Illinois | $72,530 | $74,800 | $49,050 | $102,900 | 710 |
| Massachusetts | $71,610 | $75,450 | $48,860 | $103,880 | 840 |
| New York | $69,440 | $74,980 | $51,780 | $109,210 | 2,030 |
| Utah | $68,520 | $69,970 | $47,840 | $94,070 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $67,420 | $71,550 | $41,200 | $102,580 | 470 |
| Missouri | $66,740 | $71,040 | $47,120 | $104,740 | 820 |
| South Carolina | $66,450 | $74,460 | $50,810 | $120,900 | — |
| Ohio | $66,290 | $69,790 | $46,900 | $96,910 | 2,130 |
| Oklahoma | $66,280 | $71,440 | $44,370 | $103,510 | 530 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,170 | $70,870 | $47,370 | $94,000 | 2,070 |
| North Dakota | $66,140 | $66,280 | $49,180 | $80,020 | 50 |
| Iowa | $65,160 | $69,100 | $49,760 | $97,130 | 590 |
| Kentucky | $65,110 | $70,460 | $47,630 | $96,560 | 510 |
| Georgia | $65,050 | $72,030 | $41,580 | $100,860 | 590 |
| Virginia | $64,820 | $66,730 | $43,880 | $89,010 | 540 |
| Tennessee | $64,180 | $70,820 | $45,560 | $109,500 | 1,250 |
| Idaho | $63,900 | $65,940 | $45,780 | $97,240 | 250 |
| Delaware | $63,560 | $63,460 | $42,910 | $85,390 | 150 |
| Florida | $62,360 | $67,060 | $38,990 | $110,890 | 1,970 |
| Indiana | $62,240 | $66,680 | $45,060 | $93,080 | 1,590 |
| North Carolina | $61,990 | $63,300 | $44,270 | $84,350 | 850 |
| Wisconsin | $61,960 | $65,980 | $47,900 | $89,980 | 2,010 |
| Arkansas | $60,620 | $61,900 | $47,270 | $74,950 | 420 |
| Maine | $59,960 | $64,490 | $50,690 | $74,350 | 370 |
| Mississippi | $58,760 | $64,930 | $38,380 | $102,170 | 240 |
| Montana | $57,590 | $59,470 | $49,350 | $73,390 | 40 |
| West Virginia | $57,040 | $60,900 | $47,530 | $76,070 | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $56,460 | $58,160 | $37,820 | $86,560 | — |
| Wyoming | $52,660 | $58,940 | $45,440 | $89,480 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $52,620 | $58,710 | $40,030 | $81,100 | 560 |
| South Dakota | $51,270 | $54,300 | $40,770 | $67,600 | 110 |
| Alabama | $49,580 | $59,220 | $34,080 | $89,680 | 590 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for mechanical drafters. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Aeronautical Drafter or Architectural Drafter frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Mechanical Drafters compares to others in the 17 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Mechanical Drafters
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.
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