Architecture & engineering · SOC 17-3013
Mechanical drafters
BLS projects 42,100 jobs in 2025 to become 39,600 by 2035 — -6.0%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
-6.0%
projected change to 2035
About 2,500 fewer jobs
2,900
openings a year
6.9% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$71,550
median annual pay
Usually entered with: associate's degree
2025 to 2035
Employment at the start and end of the projection, in jobs.
- 2025 employment42,100
- 2035 projected39,600
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025–2035 projections.
Other architecture & engineering occupations
The largest occupations in the same group, by projected change to 2035.
- Civil engineers380,600+6.4%
- Industrial engineers365,100+12.4%
- Mechanical engineers298,500+11.2%
- Electrical engineers199,700+9.9%
- Engineers, all other166,700+3.7%
- Architects, except landscape and naval124,600+4.3%
- Architectural and civil drafters104,100+5.2%
- Electronics engineers, except computer98,200+3.7%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.