Mechanical Drafters
Architecture and Engineering Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 17-3013.00
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
High· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.35
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only15 rated tasks · 14 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (93.3%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.17-3013.00 | 0.003244.9 |
Position instructions and comments onto drawings.17-3013.00 | 0.002129.0 |
Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.17-3013.00 | 0.001826.1 |
| Not observed on any surface — 11 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states. | |
Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment. | —0 |
Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment. | —0 |
Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems. | —0 |
Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials. | —0 |
Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines. | —0 |
Lay out, draw, and reproduce illustrations for reference manuals and technical publications to describe operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. | —0 |
Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components. | —0 |
Confer with customer representatives to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to installation of systems. | —0 |
Draw freehand sketches of designs, trace finished drawings onto designated paper for the reproduction of blueprints, and reproduce working drawings on copy machines. | —0 |
Supervise and train other drafters, technologists, and technicians. | —0 |
Shade or color drawings to clarify and emphasize details and dimensions or eliminate background using ink, crayon, airbrush, and overlays. | —0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment.O*NET Task ID 1450 | 1.0 |
Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.O*NET Task ID 1447 | 0.5 |
Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.O*NET Task ID 1448 | 0.5 |
Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.O*NET Task ID 1449 | 0.5 |
Position instructions and comments onto drawings.O*NET Task ID 1451 | 0.5 |
Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.O*NET Task ID 1452 | 0.5 |
Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.O*NET Task ID 1453 | 0.5 |
Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.O*NET Task ID 1454 | 0.5 |
Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.O*NET Task ID 1455 | 0.5 |
Confer with customer representatives to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to installation of systems.O*NET Task ID 1456 | 0.5 |
Draw freehand sketches of designs, trace finished drawings onto designated paper for the reproduction of blueprints, and reproduce working drawings on copy machines.O*NET Task ID 1457 | 0.5 |
Lay out, draw, and reproduce illustrations for reference manuals and technical publications to describe operation and maintenance of mechanical systems.O*NET Task ID 1459 | 0.5 |
Shade or color drawings to clarify and emphasize details and dimensions or eliminate background, using ink, crayon, airbrush, and overlays.O*NET Task ID 1460 | 0.5 |
Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.O*NET Task ID 20964 | 0.5 |
Supervise and train other drafters, technologists, and technicians.O*NET Task ID 1458 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (16)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment. | Core |
| Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems. | Core |
| Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed. | Core |
| Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment. | Core |
| Position instructions and comments onto drawings. | Core |
| Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems. | Core |
| Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components. | Core |
| Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials. | Core |
| Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines. | Core |
| Confer with customer representatives to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to installation of systems. | Core |
| Supervise and train other drafters, technologists, and technicians. | Core |
| Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software. | Core |
| Create bills of materials. | Core |
| Draw freehand sketches of designs, trace finished drawings onto designated paper for the reproduction of blueprints, and reproduce working drawings on copy machines. | Supplemental |
| Lay out, draw, and reproduce illustrations for reference manuals and technical publications to describe operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. | Supplemental |
| Shade or color drawings to clarify and emphasize details and dimensions or eliminate background, using ink, crayon, airbrush, and overlays. | Supplemental |
0.01/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Draw freehand sketches of designs, trace finished drawings onto designated paper for the reproduction of blueprints, and reproduce working drawings on copy machines. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 42K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 40K
- Change (2025–35)
- -6%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $71,550
- Typical education needed for entry
- Associate's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23953 | 기계 제도사 | Same scope | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 3118Draughtspersons
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- mechanical engineering drafterESCO 3118.3.11Same scope
Mechanical engineering drafters convert mechanical engineers' designs and sketches into technical drawings detailing dimensions, fastening and assembling methods and other specifications used for example in manufacturing processes.
- drafterESCO 3118.3This occupation is narrower
Drafters prepare and create technical drawings using a special software or manual techniques, to show how something is built or works.
- computer-aided design operatorESCO 3118.3.5Overlapping, not the same
Computer-aided design operators use computer hardware and software in order to add the technical dimensions to computer aided design drawings. Computer-aided design operators ensure all additional aspects of the created images of products are accurate and realistic. They also calculate the amount of materials needed to manufacture the products. Later the finalised digital design is processed by computer-aided manufacturing machines that produce the finished product.
- electromechanical drafterESCO 3118.3.7Overlapping, not the same
Electromechanical drafters draw and create blueprints together with electromechanical engineers. They interpret the specifications and requirements made by the engineer and design electromechanical equipment and components.
- product development engineering drafterESCO 3118.3.12Overlapping, not the same
Product development engineering drafters design and draw blueprints to bring new concepts and products to life. They draft and draw detailed plans on how to manufacture a product.
- rolling stock engineering drafterESCO 3118.3.13Overlapping, not the same
Rolling stock engineering drafters convert the rolling stock engineers’ designs into technical drawings usually using software. Their drawings detail dimensions, fastening and assembling methods and other specifications used in the manufacture of rail vehicles such as locomotives, multiple units, carriages and wagons.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| H1203 | Dessinateur-projeteur / Dessinatrice-projeteuse en mécanique | Same scopeprovisional |
| H1235 | Technicien / Technicienne en conception industrielle en mécanique | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| H1408 | Programmeur / Programmeuse en Conception de Fabrication Assistée par Ordinateur (CFAO) | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| H2209 | Dessinateur / Dessinatrice de structures en bois | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3110 | Delineantes y dibujantes técnicos | This occupation is narrower |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 27212 | Technische Zeichner/innen - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 27283 | Technisches Zeichnen, Konstruktion und Modellbau (sonstige spezifische Tätigkeitsangabe) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 27223 | Berufe in der Konstruktion und im Gerätebau - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 34203 | Berufe in der Klempnerei (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 34213 | Berufe in der Sanitär-, Heizungs- und Klimatechnik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 591 | 生産関連作業従事者 | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 073 | 機械技術者（開発） | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources