Mechanical Drafter Career
If you’re a detail-oriented person with math and computer skills, a career as a mechanical drafter may be right for you. Mechanical drafters prepare detailed layouts for a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices. They take information from engineers and create technical drawings that provide specifications regarding product dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Mechanical drafters are employed by manufacturing and engineering firms, as well as technology companies. Their skills are utilized in the design, construction, and maintenance of a wide range of devices, from tiny computer microchips to large medical equipment.
Mechanical Drafter Career Snapshot
Most mechanical drafters work as a part of an engineering team in manufacturing companies and are usually employed full-time. Since most drafters are paid an hourly wage, there is opportunity to earn overtime pay.
Further details on a career as a mechanical drafter are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the estimated yearly salary for mechanical drafters.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have an Associate’s degree while 23% have a Bachelor’s degree.
Mechanical Drafter Education
Mechanical drafting might appeal to you if you do not wish to spend a lot of time in school. Though specialized training is required beyond high school, you can train and qualify as a mechanical drafter through a certificate or associate’s degree program from a technical school or community college.
Mechanical Drafter Job Duties
The day-to-day work of a mechanical drafter includes using specialized computer software to provide detailed drawings, instructions, and specifications about how devices, parts, or equipment are to be fabricated, assembled, modified, maintained, and used. Mechanical drafters usually spend a significant portion of the work day at a computer, but the job also involves interaction with superiors, peers, and subordinates regularly to coordinate projects.
Mechanical Drafter Salaries
In May 2015, the median hourly wage of a mechanical drafter was $25.73 according to the BLS.gov reports. The median annual salary is $53,520, but salaries can range from $34,030 up to $85,860. Factors influencing the range include company size, location, years of experience, etc.
Mechanical Drafter Job Outlook
There is a slight decline of 7% projected in this career from 2014 to 2024. This is due to increasingly sophisticated technology and software that makes mechanical drafters more efficient. This will make mechanical drafting a more competitive career, but also more rewarding.
Mechanical Drafter Skills & Traits
| Mechanical Drafter Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Mechanical Drafters: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Active Learning • Active Listening • Complex Problem Solving • Critical Thinking • Mathematics | • Mathematical Reasoning • Near Vision • Deductive Reasoning • Oral Comprehension • Visualization | • Flexible curves • Graphics or video accelerator cards • Plotter printers • Architects’ scales • Scanners | • Working with Computers • Drafting • Getting Information • Documenting Information • Communicating with Others |
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