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What is a mechanical design drafter and how to become one
A mechanical design drafter is required to develop comprehensive mechanical tools designs and descriptions required for grouping and adjusting them to rectify faults and lessen issues in manufacturing. You will sometimes work with architects and engineers, whether in an office or in the field, with a manual understanding of computer-aided design (CAD) software, structuring procedure, visual capability, and estimation skills.
Additionally, you are required to teach production recruits on computerized numerical control (CNC) pipe bending and how to perfectly use production devices and appliances. Besides this, you must deliver a PowerPoint demonstration for periodical updates of plans design at a plan supervision meeting. It is also necessary for you to be skillful technologically and able to provide various drafting techniques as a mechanical design drafter.
To fit into this role, you need to have a comprehensive understanding of mathematical notions, excellent interaction, technological and time management skills. You must be able to meet up deadlines and be detail-oriented. Adding to this, it is essential to have educational qualifications like either obtaining an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. With this, you will earn an average of $53,245 per year or $25.60 per hour.
What general advice would you give to a mechanical design drafter?
Marco Schoen Ph.D.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the Measurement and Control Engineering Research Center (MCERC), Idaho State University
Avg. Salary $58,371
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate -3%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.16%
Asian 5.73%
Black or African American 3.03%
Hispanic or Latino 13.06%
Unknown 4.14%
White 73.89%
Genderfemale 12.31%
male 87.69%
Age - 45American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 45Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Mechanical design drafter career paths
Key steps to become a mechanical design drafter
Explore mechanical design drafter education requirements
Start to develop specific mechanical design drafter skills
Skills Percentages Design Layouts 6.40% Creo 5.80% Assembly Drawings 5.70% Aided Design 4.74% GD 4.62% Complete relevant mechanical design drafter training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New mechanical design drafters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a mechanical design drafter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real mechanical design drafter resumes.Research mechanical design drafter duties and responsibilities
- Calculate requirements and manage HVAC systems, including design, development, compliance, testing, troubleshooting and repair.
- Incorporate ECO's to update and revise the drawings and BOM's on military aircraft antenna test equipment.
- Generate ECR's and ECN's to accommodate customer's requirements.
- Convert 2D drawings into 3D assemblies that can be include into SolidWork's PDM environment.
Prepare your mechanical design drafter resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your mechanical design drafter resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a mechanical design drafter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
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Build a professional mechanical design drafter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your mechanical design drafter resume.
Apply for mechanical design drafter jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a mechanical design drafter job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first mechanical design drafter job
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Average mechanical design drafter salary
The average mechanical design drafter salary in the United States is $58,371 per year or $28 per hour. Mechanical design drafter salaries range between $45,000 and $75,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do mechanical design drafters rate their job?
Mechanical design drafter reviews
It can gurantee you a good salary and if you are creative you can do many things.
you have to be creative.
comfortable environment
stressful work. negative response is related in anyway to the job you'll be doing. So if the job is boring and a lot of repetitive tasks are involved and you say you don't like to do something daily they might weed you out. My answer would be, I really can't think of something I dislike doing every single day. Just because they ask the question doesn't mean you have to have a negative answer!
Updated January 8, 2025
