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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Mechanical Drafters

Part of Manufacturing, in the Manufacturing Production Process Development pathway.

Job zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 17-3013.00

What the work is

Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

On a typical day

  • Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
  • Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other 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.
  • Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment.
  • Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
  • Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.

What it pays

$78,110
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $50,680
Experienced workers reach $103,320
  1. $51k10th
  2. $61k25th
  3. $78kMedian
  4. $89k75th
  5. $103k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $50,680, 25th $60,860, Median $78,110, 75th $88,500, 90th $103,320

About 190 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+1.6%

employment change in the Alamo region, 193 to 196 jobs · U.S. -7%

17

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 3,300

193

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 42,900

Typical entry education: Associate's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Reading Comprehension3.9
  2. Mathematics3.9
  3. Active Learning3.6
  4. Active Listening3.5
  5. Critical Thinking3.3
  6. Speaking3.8
  7. Complex Problem Solving3.1
  8. Writing3.1

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. Certificate8%
  2. Some college7%
  3. Associate degree61%
  4. Bachelor's degree20%
  5. Master's degree3%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • St. Philip's
  1. Engineering

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

Apply to Alamo Colleges

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