Career Atlas USA

Career Paths From Mechanical Drafters

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

  1. Architectural and Civil DraftersLateral Move93.2% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Architectural and Civil Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Architectural and Civil Drafters sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 8% lower.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $66,150
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    3
  2. Electrical and Electronics DraftersLateral Move94.4% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Electrical and Electronics Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Electrical and Electronics Drafters sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 7% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $76,870
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    3
  3. Software DevelopersCareer Change94.7% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Software Developers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Software Developers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 90% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $135,980
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4
  4. Aerospace EngineersAdvancement97.1% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Aerospace Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Aerospace Engineers is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 89% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $134,960
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4
  5. Information Security AnalystsCareer Change92.7% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Information Security Analysts share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Information Security Analysts is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 81% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $129,180
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4
  6. Database ArchitectsCareer Change89.3% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Database Architects share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Database Architects is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 95% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $139,500
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4
  7. Chemical EngineersAdvancement88.9% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Chemical Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Chemical Engineers is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 75% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $125,040
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4
  8. Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and InspectorsAdvancement89.6% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 61% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $115,160
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4
  9. Medical DosimetristsCareer Change91.4% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Medical Dosimetrists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Medical Dosimetrists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 106% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $147,470
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4
  10. Database AdministratorsCareer Change91.6% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Database Administrators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Database Administrators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 46% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $104,620
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4
  11. Computer ProgrammersCareer Change90.6% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Computer Programmers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Computer Programmers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 40% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $100,390
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4
  12. PhysicistsCareer Change93.2% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Physicists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Physicists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 3). Median salary is about 141% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $172,250
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    5
  13. Social Science Research AssistantsCareer Change91.3% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Social Science Research Assistants share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Social Science Research Assistants is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 13% lower.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $61,990
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4
  14. Mechanical Engineering Technologists and TechniciansLateral Move0% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 4% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $74,510
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    3
  15. Commercial and Industrial DesignersAdvancement0% skill match

    Mechanical Drafters and Commercial and Industrial Designers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Commercial and Industrial Designers is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 17% higher.

    Current median salary
    $71,550
    Target median salary
    $83,910
    Current Job Zone
    3
    Target Job Zone
    4

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.