Mechanical Drafters in North Carolina
Thinking about a career as a Mechanical Drafters in North Carolina? Here’s what you need to know. Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
What do Mechanical Drafters Make in North Carolina?
For a mechanical drafters working in North Carolina, the typical annual salary is $61,990 per year (or about $29.80/hour).Earnings range from $44,270 at the 10th percentile to $84,350 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,270 | $21.28 |
| 25th percentile | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Median (50th) | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| 75th percentile | $73,800 | $35.48 |
| 90th percentile | $84,350 | $40.55 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in North Carolina compared to the national average — is 0.67, indicating fewer mechanical drafters per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, mechanical drafters earn a median of $78,252 per year ($37.62/hour), lower than the North Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 112,826 mechanical drafters nationwide. In North Carolina alone, around 850 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 540 mechanical drafters.
Top North Carolina Metros for Mechanical Drafters
The metro areas below employ the most mechanical drafters in North Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 250 | $63,500 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 110 | $60,820 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 110 | $62,240 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 40 | $58,390 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 40 | $53,780 |
| Asheville, NC | 30 | $60,820 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 30 | $64,750 |
Top States for Mechanical Drafters Employment
These states have the highest employment of mechanical drafters work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 3,460 |
| California | 3,360 |
| Ohio | 2,130 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,070 |
| New York | 2,030 |
| Wisconsin | 2,010 |
| Florida | 1,970 |
| Michigan | 1,720 |
| Washington | 1,600 |
| Indiana | 1,590 |
| Minnesota | 1,450 |
| Tennessee | 1,250 |
| North Carolina | 850 |
| Massachusetts | 840 |
| Missouri | 820 |
| New Jersey | 780 |
| Arizona | 720 |
| Illinois | 710 |
| Utah | 610 |
| Alabama | 590 |
Highest-Paying States for Mechanical Drafters
The highest-paying states for mechanical drafters.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $85,220 |
| Colorado | $85,050 |
| Vermont | $81,840 |
| California | $80,430 |
| Arizona | $80,270 |
| Nevada | $79,710 |
| Oregon | $79,660 |
| New Jersey | $79,190 |
| Maryland | $77,300 |
| Texas | $76,740 |
Skills
Top mechanical drafters skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for mechanical drafters, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Mechanical Drafters typically:
- Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- 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.
- Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
- 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.
- Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment.
- Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.
- Confer with customer representatives to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to installation of systems.
- Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
- Supervise and train other drafters, technologists, and technicians.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
- Getting Information
- Thinking Creatively
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe After Effects, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D In-demand technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Navisworks
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Drafting & Design Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to mechanical drafters include:
- Software Developers
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Industrial Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Mechatronics Engineers
Also Known As
Aeronautical Drafter, Architectural Drafter, Auto Design Detailer, Auto Design Drafter (Automotive Design Drafter), Auto Design Layout Drafter (Automotive Design Layout Drafter), AutoCAD Designer, AutoCAD Drafter, AutoCAD Technician, Body Design Checker, Body Designer, CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer), CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer), CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter), CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter), CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-3013.00
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