Mechanical Design Drafter
M-36M Other Engineering jobs · Skilled level · O*NET 17-3013.00
- Texas median
whole occupation, 2025 - $79,380
- work over
40 h a week - 44%
- load index
from O*NET data - 1.5/5
- Texas jobs
2024 to 2034 - -0.4%
Pay
This level's pay
No published pay record names this level: no public record found in sources S1-S7 that names this rung. The occupation-wide figure below is for all experience levels.
Whole occupation: all Mechanical Drafters, Texas BLS OEWS May 2025
- Series OEUS480000000000017301313 (median), Texas, May 2025, read 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Base pay (straight-time, excludes overtime).
- Based on an estimated 4,630 jobs in Texas (series OEUS480000000000017301301).
BLS OEWS May 2025
- Series OEUS480000000000017301313 (median), Texas, May 2025, read 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Base pay (straight-time, excludes overtime).
- Based on an estimated 4,630 jobs in Texas (series OEUS480000000000017301301).
Outlook 2024 to 2034, all Mechanical Drafters, not level-specific TWC, BLS
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
TWC, BLS
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
- Texas
- -0.4% jobs · about 300 openings a year (3,580 jobs in 2024)
- United States
- -6.5% jobs · about 3,300 openings a year (42,900 jobs in 2024)
Openings include people retiring or changing jobs, not only growth.
Hours O*NET 31.0
- Duration of Typical Work Week (4.C.3.d.8), O*NET Work Context, data 08/2026, n = 18 respondents, O*NET OnLine
O*NET 31.0
- Duration of Typical Work Week (4.C.3.d.8), O*NET Work Context, data 08/2026, n = 18 respondents, O*NET OnLine
Schedule: regular 67% · irregular 33% · seasonal 0%
Physical load 1.5 of 5, our index from O*NET Method
- Engineer Tsai index (et_physical_v1): mean of a body index (1.56, 6 measures) and an exposure index (1.39, 7 measures), built from O*NET Work Context means, 1 to 5: Spend Time Standing; Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles; Spend Time Walking or Running; Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling; Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance; Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body; Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions; Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures; Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions; Exposed to High Places; Exposed to Hazardous Conditions; Exposed to Hazardous Equipment; Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection.
- O*NET OnLine
Method
- Engineer Tsai index (et_physical_v1): mean of a body index (1.56, 6 measures) and an exposure index (1.39, 7 measures), built from O*NET Work Context means, 1 to 5: Spend Time Standing; Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles; Spend Time Walking or Running; Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling; Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance; Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body; Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions; Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures; Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions; Exposed to High Places; Exposed to Hazardous Conditions; Exposed to Hazardous Equipment; Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection.
- O*NET OnLine
Body
- Standing2.05
- Bending or twisting1.77
- Walking or running1.74
- Kneeling or crawling1.36
- Climbing ladders1.26
- Keeping balance1.18
Exposure
- Hazardous equipment2.21
- Very hot or cold1.54
- Outdoors, all weather1.32
- High places1.27
- Hazardous conditions1.15
- Protective gear1.14
- Cramped space1.13
Getting in
- License
- No license for this job title at the 8 Texas and federal licensing agencies read on 2026-10-03 (TDLR, TSBPE, TCEQ, TCFP, TEA, TBPELS, NRC and EPA).
- Degree
- 19% hold a bachelor's or higher; most common: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Experience
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years of related experience is the most common answer (30% of workers).
O*NET
- O*NET Related Work Experience, Mechanical Drafters, O*NET OnLine
- Preparation
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Why this level
- Skilled: O*NET Job Zone 3 (1-2 start, 3-4 skilled, 5 senior).
Moves to the side 6
- M Electrical Drafter O*NET lists Electrical and Electronics Drafters as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.86.
- I Mechanical Engineering Technician O*NET lists Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.86.
- M Architectural Drafter O*NET lists Architectural and Civil Drafters as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.77.
- M Mechatronics Engineer O*NET lists Mechatronics Engineers as a related occupation (Supplemental); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.91. License: depends on the work.
What the work is 6 core tasks
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
- Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
- Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
- Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
- Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
Core tasks ranked by O*NET task Importance (IM, 1-5), top 6.
Top skills
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Analysis
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
Sources (4)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, Texas, series OEUS480000000000017301313, read 2026-10-03
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
- O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), 17-3013.00 Mechanical Drafters, read 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Engineer Tsai has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 · O*NET license
Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Base pay; excludes overtime. Outlook: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (United States) and Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections 2024-2034, read through Projections Central.
