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Occupation Description

Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

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State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location	Pay Period	2008
		10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
United States	Hourly	$14.13	$17.55	$22.42	$28.37	$34.30
	Yearly	$29,400	$36,500	$46,600	$59,000	$71,300
Washington	Hourly	$17.34	$22.41	$28.72	$35.12	$39.58
	Yearly	$36,100	$46,600	$59,700	$73,000	$82,300

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
Compare Wages by Occupation and Local Area
Compare Wages by Metropolitan Areas

National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: Washington Occupational Wages

State and National Trends

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
Compare Employment Trends by Occupation
Employment Trends by Industry and Occupation

National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: Washington State Employment Security Department, Labor Market and Economic Analysis Branch

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Mechanical Drafters.

Knowledge:

• 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.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills:

• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• 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.
• Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
• Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Abilities:

• Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Mechanical Drafters.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Mechanical Drafters.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
• Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery using computer-assisted equipment.
• Confer with customer representatives to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to installation of systems.
• Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.
• Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
• Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
• Draw freehand sketches of designs, trace finished drawings onto designated paper for the reproduction of blueprints, and reproduce working drawings on copy machines.
• Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
• Lay out, draw, and reproduce illustrations for reference manuals and technical publications to describe operation and maintenance of mechanical systems.
• Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
• 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.
• Shade or color drawings to clarify and emphasize details and dimensions or eliminate background using ink, crayon, airbrush, and overlays.
• Supervise and train other drafters, technologists, and technicians.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities:

• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• analyze test data
• collect scientific or technical data
• communicate technical information
• conduct training for personnel
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• consult with customers concerning needs
• create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
• evaluate engineering data
• examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
• follow manufacturing methods or techniques
• inspect manufactured products or materials
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• read blueprints
• read schematics
• read technical drawings
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use government regulations
• use knowledge of metric system
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use spreadsheet software
• work as a team member

Source: Occupational Information Network: Mechanical Drafters.

Tools and Technology

Mechanical Drafters  View Detailed Report

Tools:

• Calculators or accessories - Calculators
• Curves - Flexible curves, French curves
• Plotter printers - Cutting plotters, Plotting printers
• Scales - Architects' scales, Electronic scales
• Scanners - Backlit digitizers, Large-format digitizers, Sonic digitizers, Three-dimensional laser digitizers/digital scanners, Wide-format document scanners

Technology:

• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD software, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Mechanical, Bentley Microstation, Bentley Navigator
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - Rapid prototyping software
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects, Adobe Systems Adobe LiveMotion, Graphic presentation software, McNeel Rhino software, Motion graphics software
• Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software - Bill of materials software
• Optical character reader OCR or scanning software - Scanning software, Three-dimensional scanning software

Source: Occupational Information Network: Mechanical Drafters.

Education and Training

Occupation: Mechanical Drafters
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Postsecondary vocational award
Related Instructional Programs: Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD

WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://www.careerbridge.wa.gov/

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

Related Occupation Profiles
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• Mechanical Engineers
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Web Resources

Architects, Surveyors, and Cartographers
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• Architect, Princeton Review
• Architects, California Occupational Guide
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• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, CareerZone
• Architecture, WetFeet.com
• Cartographers (Map Makers), California Occupational Guide
• Cartography and GIS, American Congress on Surveying and Mapping
• Land Surveyor, Future Farmers of America
• Landscape Architect, Princeton Review
• Landscape Architect, American Society of Landscape Architects
• Landscape Architects, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Landscape Architects, California Occupational Guide
• Surveying and Mapping Technicians, Learn More Resource Center
• Surveying Occupations (Land), California Occupational Guide
• Surveyor, Princeton Review
• Surveyors, Cartographers, Photogrammetrists, and Surveying Technicians, Occupational Outlook Handbook

• Architectural Drafters, CareerZone
• Drafters, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Drafting Occupations, California Occupational Guide
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians, California Occupational Guide
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Job Futures
• Electronic Service Technicians (Household and Business Equipment), Job Futures
• Engineering Technicians, Occupational Outlook Handbook
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• Instrumentation Technicians, California Occupational Guide
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• Traffic Technicians, Learn More Resource Center

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• Chemical Engineers, American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Chemical Engineers, California Occupational Guide
• Chemical Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
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• Civil Engineers, California Occupational Guide
• Civil Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Computer Engineer and Systems Analyst, Princeton Review
• Computer Hardware Engineers, CareerZone
• Computer Hardware Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Electrical and Electronic Engineers, California Occupational Guide
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Electrical Engineer, Princeton Review
• Engineering, WetFeet.com
• Engineering Occupations in Robotics and Automated Systems, California Occupational Guide
• Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Environmental Engineering, American Academy of Environmental Engineers
• Environmental Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Industrial Engineer, Princeton Review
• Industrial Engineers, California Occupational Guide
• Industrial Engineers, Including Health and Safety, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Inventor, Princeton Review
• Materials Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Mechanical Engineers, California Occupational Guide
• Mechanical Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Metallurgists, California Occupational Guide
• Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Nuclear Engineer, Princeton Review
• Nuclear Engineer, California Occupational Guide
• Nuclear Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Operating Engineers, California Occupational Guide
• Petroleum Engineer, Princeton Review
• Petroleum Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Robotics Engineer, Princeton Review
• Ship Engineers, Learn More Resource Center
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• Structural Engineer, Princeton Review