Headline risk
3%
Very Low RiskMechanical drafters
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 68,510
Employment 2024
42.9K
Projected Change (2024–34)
-6.5%
Openings (2024–34)
3.3K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of drafters is projected to decline 0 percent from 2024 to 2034.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment. AI use: 0%
- 2. Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software. AI use: 0%
- 3. Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines. AI use: 0%
- 4. Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems. AI use: 0%
- 5. Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials. AI use: 0%
- 6. Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 41.2 · 419K employed
Under 25: 7% · 25–54: 70% · 55+: 23%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
title_match · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings.
Although drafters spend much of their time working on computers in an office, some may visit jobsites in order to collaborate with architects and engineers. Most drafters work full time.
Drafters typically complete education after high school, often through a program at a community college or technical school. Some programs lead to an associate of applied science in drafting or a related degree. Others result in a certificate or diploma.
The median annual wage for drafters was $65,380 in May 2024.
Overall employment of drafters is projected to decline 0 percent from 2024 to 2034.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.