# Mechanical Drafters

> Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 17-3013.00
- **Summary:** Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

## Aliases

- Design Drafter
- Drafter
- Mechanical Designer
- Mechanical Drafter
- CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer)
- CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator)
- Drafting Technician
- Product Designer
- Project Designer
- Aeronautical Drafter
- Architectural Drafter
- Auto Design Detailer

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems. | Core | 4.A.3.b.2.e |
| Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.e |
| Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials. | Core | 4.A.2.a.2.a |
| Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.e |
| Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems. | Core | 4.A.4.a.2.h |
| Position instructions and comments onto drawings. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Confer with customer representatives to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to installation of systems. | Core | 4.A.4.a.2.j |
| Supervise and train other drafters, technologists, and technicians. | Core | 4.A.4.b.4.a |

## Emerging Tasks

| Text |
| --- |
| Create bills of materials. |

## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Create graphical representations of mechanical equipment. | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans. | 4.A.4.a.2.h |
| Analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems. | 4.A.2.a.4.e |
| Design electromechanical equipment or systems. | 4.A.3.b.2.e |
| Verify mathematical calculations. | 4.A.2.a.2.a |
| Discuss designs or plans with clients. | 4.A.4.a.2.j |
| Supervise engineering or other technical personnel. | 4.A.4.b.4.a |
| Create images or other visual displays. | 4.A.2.b.2.o |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Design | knowledge | 4.82 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 4.73 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 4.48 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 4.37 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.93 |
| Physics | knowledge | 3.9 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.82 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | ability | 3.5 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.5 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.32 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Mathematics | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.25 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.25 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.25 |
| Fluency of Ideas | ability | 3.25 |
| Originality | ability | 3.25 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.25 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.25 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.25 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.13 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.12 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.12 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.08 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Instructing | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Operations Analysis | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Autodesk Revit | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Project | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Access | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Adobe After Effects | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Autodesk Inventor | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| PTC Creo Parametric | Specialized Skill |
| Motion Graphics Software | Specialized Skill |
| Adobe LiveMotion | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | yes |
| Autodesk Revit | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | yes |
| Bentley MicroStation | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | yes |
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | yes |
| Adobe After Effects | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| ESRI ArcGIS software | Geographic information system | yes | no |
| Extensible markup language XML | Enterprise application integration software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Access | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Project | Project management software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| Trimble SketchUp Pro | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| Autodesk Inventor | Computer aided design CAD software | no | yes |
| Autodesk Navisworks | Computer aided design CAD software | no | yes |
| NavisWorks Jetstream | Computer aided design CAD software | no | yes |
| 1CadCam Unigraphics | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| Adobe LiveMotion | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Autodesk Mechanical | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Bentley Navigator | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Bill of materials software | Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software | no | no |
| Computer aided design and drafting CADD software | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Computer aided design and drafting software CADD | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Dassault Systemes CATIA | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Document management system software | Document management software | no | no |
| ERP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | no | no |
| Graphic presentation software | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| McNeel Rhinoceros 3D | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Motion graphics software | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Non uniform rational b-splines NURBS software | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Piping and instrumentation design PID software | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| PTC Creo Parametric | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| PTC Pro/Cable | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Rapid prototyping software | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| Reverse engineering software | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Scanning software | Optical character reader OCR or scanning software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 5 |
| E-Mail | 4.93 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.7 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.63 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.45 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 4.4 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.32 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.11 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.89 |
| Time Pressure | 3.75 |
| Contact With Others | 3.7 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.57 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.54 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.49 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 3.4 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.39 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.14 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.07 |
| Physical Proximity | 2.98 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.95 |
| Level of Competition | 2.92 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.75 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 2.68 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 2.68 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.66 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.4 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 2.21 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.19 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 1.99 |
| Spend Time Standing | 1.96 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 1.96 |
| Public Speaking | 1.95 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 1.9 |
| Degree of Automation | 1.88 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 1.78 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 1.73 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 1.67 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 1.66 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 1.52 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 1.43 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 3
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- **Experience:** Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- **Svp Range:** (6.0 to < 7.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 61.28 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 20.25 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 7.98 |
| Some College Courses | 7.45 |
| Master's Degree | 2.8 |
| First Professional Degree | 0.13 |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 0.13 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 5.99 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.96 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.85 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 3.79 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 3.65 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 3.62 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 3.15 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 3 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 2.77 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 2.19 |
| Applied Arts and Design | specific_interest_area | 2.16 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.16 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 2.13 |
| Visual Arts | specific_interest_area | 2.12 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.82 |
| Office Work | specific_interest_area | 1.69 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 17-3012.00 | role-17-3012-00 | Electrical and Electronics Drafters | Primary-Short |
| 17-3011.00 | role-17-3011-00 | Architectural and Civil Drafters | Primary-Short |
| 17-3027.00 | role-17-3027-00 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 51-4061.00 | role-51-4061-00 | Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 27-1021.00 | role-27-1021-00 | Commercial and Industrial Designers | Primary-Short |
| 51-4192.00 | role-51-4192-00 | Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 17-3023.00 | role-17-3023-00 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 51-9162.00 | role-51-9162-00 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers | Primary-Long |
| 51-4062.00 | role-51-4062-00 | Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4041.00 | role-51-4041-00 | Machinists | Primary-Long |
| 17-2141.00 | role-17-2141-00 | Mechanical Engineers | Supplemental |
| 17-2199.05 | role-17-2199-05 | Mechatronics Engineers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Associate's degree

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | engineering-engineering-related-technologies-technicians |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 68510
- **Mean Wage:** 74040
- **Pct10Wage:** 46500
- **Pct25Wage:** 56470
- **Pct75Wage:** 85580
- **Pct90Wage:** 107600
- **Employment:** 39900
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 20960 | 65520 | 6.35 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 9340 | 74820 | 3.35 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 6600 | 76460 | 22.06 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 4200 | 74560 | 2 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 2750 | 80850 | 8.39 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 2040 | 68510 | 1.31 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1200 | 69980 | 0.51 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 880 | 78250 | 1.21 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 690 | 74590 | 1.01 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 520 | 64760 | 7.74 |
| 238210 | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | National industry | 290 | 75350 | 1.05 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 270 | 86040 | 1.8 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 6600 | 22.06 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 2750 | 8.39 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 520 | 7.74 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 20960 | 6.35 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 9340 | 3.35 |
| 238290 | 238290 | Other Building Equipment Contractors | National industry | 120 | 3.02 |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry | 100 | 2.27 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 4200 | 2 |
- **Count:** 22

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.68 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 0.8410071 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 1.985666 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | 0.3818422 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 71
- **Percentile:** 71
- **Band:** High
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 69 | felten_aioe |
| 83 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 60 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 0.8410071 | 69 | High | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.9310344827586207 | 83 | High | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.1728369642039824 | 60 | Moderate | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.68
- **Percentile:** 57
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** yes

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.06896551724137931
- **Beta:** 0.5
- **Gamma:** 0.9310344827586207

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed. | 0.0031839414319108986 | 4.21 |
| Position instructions and comments onto drawings. | 0.0020541557625231607 | 3.72 |
| Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems. | 0.0018487401862708444 | 3.9 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -6.5
- **Growth Percentile:** 9
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 3.3
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 39
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 42.9
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 40.1

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 15
- **Skills:** 45
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 43
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 0c5dd5145d1e665e