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Job outlook for mechanical draftsmen in the United States
Are mechanical draftsman jobs in demand?
Mechanical draftsman job and salary trends over time
Mechanical draftsman jobs over time
Mechanical draftsman job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,057 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,136 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,208 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,221 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,244 | 0.00% |
Average mechanical draftsman salary over time
Mechanical draftsman salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,926 | $19.68 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $40,076 | $19.27 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $39,275 | $18.88 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $38,720 | $18.62 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | $38,264 | $18.40 | +1.8% |
Mechanical draftsman jobs by state
Most common states for mechanical draftsmen
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 97 | 7% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 356 | 5% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 32 | 5% |
| 4 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 223 | 4% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 221 | 4% |
| 6 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 127 | 4% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 22 | 4% |
| 8 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,243 | 3% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 323 | 3% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 228 | 3% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 209 | 3% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 208 | 3% |
| 13 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 199 | 3% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 172 | 3% |
| 15 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 128 | 3% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 98 | 3% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 69 | 3% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 57 | 3% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 23 | 3% |
| 20 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 245 | 2% |
Mechanical Draftsman job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of mechanical draftsman experts
University of Florida
Marshall University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Ohio University
What will help Mechanical Draftsmen increase their earning potential?
Andreas Enqvist: Embrace opportunities and challenges! We see a lot of our graduates gaining opportunities that might be at the periphery of that they have studies at university etc, but that is normally a testament to their skills and the ability to excel in multiple different roles. Believing in yourself and accepting and pursuing some of those career opportunities that might be near the edge of our comfort zones, can often lead to very exciting career opportunities. There is a tremendous need for graduates in our field, and each graduate should not hesitate to explore multiple options and the opportunities that comes with their degree.
Dr. Yousef Sardahi
Associate Professor of Mechanical EngineeringMarshall University
Engineering
What Mechanical Draftsman skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Yousef Sardahi: In the next 3-5 years, several skills are expected to become increasingly important in the mechanical engineering field:
Advanced Computational Skills: Proficiency in simulation and modeling software (like ANSYS, SolidWorks, or MATLAB) will be crucial as these tools become more integral in designing and testing complex systems.
Robotics and Automation: With industries moving towards automation, skills in robotics, automated systems, and knowledge of AI integration will be highly sought after.
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Expertise in 3D printing and additive manufacturing techniques will be valuable as these technologies revolutionize product development and manufacturing processes.
Renewable Energy Technologies: As the world shifts towards sustainable energy sources, mechanical engineers with knowledge in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies will be in high demand.
Data Analysis and IoT: Skills in data analytics and understanding the Internet of Things (IoT) will be important as more mechanical systems are connected and produce large amounts of data.
Materials Science: Knowledge in advanced materials, such as composites or smart materials, will be crucial for developing more efficient and sustainable products and systems.
Systems Engineering and Integration: The ability to understand and integrate various subsystems within a larger system will be key, especially in complex projects.
Project Management and Leadership: As projects become more complex, skills in project management and leadership will be essential for overseeing projects and leading teams effectively.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The ability to work effectively across disciplines, understanding aspects of electrical engineering, computer science, and even business, will be increasingly important.
Communication and Soft Skills: Strong communication skills, both for technical and non-technical audiences, along with teamwork and problem-solving skills, will always be invaluable in the engineering field.
Uises Gonzalez-Valle
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
What will help Mechanical Draftsmen increase their earning potential?
Uises Gonzalez-Valle: The beginning of professional life is not simple independent of the career path that you follow and ME and MET can have their own complications. However, some good advice would be to develop independence and adaptability which are key traits of an engineer, and always keep yourself updated with the most recent technological developments. If you are independent and adaptable, you have all the skills to learn and further your professional development. In addition, I would say it is essential to start building a network, including peers and mentors. Having a strong network of peers and mentors helps you significantly to progress in your professional line. From day-to-day to daily changing decisions, having a strong network to support would significantly help in building your professional path. Lastly, I would say that having a good Work-life balance is vital too, since our personal life is as important as our professional life. Remember, we should work to live instead of live to work.
Charles Jenckes
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte
Mechanical Engineering
What skills stand out on Mechanical Draftsman resumes?
Charles Jenckes: For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student
How would you rate the starting salaries for Mechanical Draftsmen, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Daisy Huang: Above average, but you won't be a millionaire easily (you can with some effort, saving, and investing well). It is very unlikely you'll ever be *super* wealthy, but it's also very unlikely you'll ever not find employment in your field. You'll have a solid ticket to a modestly comfortable life, with some luxuries, too.
How do you envision technology impacting Mechanical Draftsmen in the next 5 years?
Neil Littell: As digital engineering and automated manufacturing technologies mature, you will see a shift in the manufacturing workforce to what we call a new-collar workforce, somewhere between the traditional blue and white-collar workforce. The future workforce is more technical and able to troubleshoot vs. perform monotonous tasks. The new-collar workforce is empowered to make critical decisions on the line to support production in real-time. Many years ago, manufacturing evolved past the dirty, dangerous facilities of the 1800's. Today, manufacturing is a safe, clean, and rewarding career choice for many people who want to be a part of something bigger. Ohio University is at the forefront of this 4th Industrial Revolution, where we develop engineers who create for good.