Mechanical Drafting and CAD: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for precision-driven professionals, this program equips learners with the technical expertise to create detailed working drawings and advanced electronic simulations essential in mechanical and industrial design. Graduates emerge proficient in translating engineering concepts into accurate, production-ready documentation that supports innovation across manufacturing and product development.
- Manufacturing Materials and Processes: Explores the properties, applications, and processing methods of metals, polymers, and composites used in industrial production.
- Mechanical Drafting: Focuses on the creation of precise technical drawings for mechanical components and assemblies using industry-standard conventions.
- Electrode-Mechanical Drafting: Covers the design of systems involving electrical and mechanical integration, such as circuit housings, connectors, and electromechanical devices.
- Basic Metallurgy: Introduces the science of metals, including structure, behavior under stress, heat treatment, and selection criteria for engineering applications.
- Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T): Teaches advanced techniques for specifying and controlling the geometry of parts to ensure functional accuracy and interchangeability.
- Blueprint Reading: Develops the ability to interpret complex technical drawings, including views, annotations, and specifications used in manufacturing environments.
- Technical Communication: Enhances skills in conveying design intent through clear documentation, annotations, and collaboration with engineering and production teams.
Mechanical Drafting and CAD Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Mechanical Drafting and CAD Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Mechanical Drafting and CAD degrees, including Mechanical Drafters. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 39,900 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Drafters 17-3013 | $68,510 | $46,500 - $107,600 | 39,900 | $32.94 |
Mechanical Drafting and CAD Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,580 in Alabama to $85,220 in New Mexico—a 72% difference. The highest-paying states include New Mexico, Colorado, and Vermont. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 39,900 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Mechanical Drafting and CAD by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Mechanical Drafting and CAD programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Mechanical Drafting and CAD is found at Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (49 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (43 graduates), Wichita State University (WSU Tech), Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (37 graduates), Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) (36 graduates), and Midland College (33 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 925 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
49 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Other Award
|
43 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
37 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wsutech.edu |
| Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
36 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Public | grcc.edu |
| Midland College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
33 | Midland, Texas | Public | midland.edu |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
32 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | cvtc.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Trident Technical College (TTC) |
Other Award
|
27 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | tridenttech.edu |
| Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
17 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Macomb Community College |
Associate's
|
16 | Warren, Michigan | Public | macomb.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Other Award
|
16 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| North Idaho College (NIC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Public | nic.edu |
| Northeast State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
15 | Blountville, Tennessee | Public | northeaststate.edu |
| Texas State Technical College (TSTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Waco, Texas | Public | tstc.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Bergen Community College (BCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13 | Paramus, New Jersey | Public | bergen.edu |
| Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | mntc.edu |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) |
Other Award
|
12 | Rome, Georgia | Public | gntc.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | Sioux City, Iowa | Public | witcc.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Associate's
|
12 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Santa Ana College (SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Santa Ana, California | Public | sac.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Oakland Community College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Public | oaklandcc.edu |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Kirkland, Washington | Public | lwtech.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Sheldon, Iowa | Public | nwicc.edu |
| Cleveland State Community College (CSCC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Public | clevelandstatecc.edu |
| Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Public | morainepark.edu |
| Palomar College |
Other Award
|
9 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Belleville, Illinois | Public | swic.edu |
| Mid Michigan College (Mid) |
Associate's
|
9 | Harrison, Michigan | Public | midmich.edu |
| Anoka Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Anoka, Minnesota | Public | anokatech.edu |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | sctcc.edu |
| Western Technical College (WTC) |
Associate's
|
9 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | westerntc.edu |
| Butte College |
Other Award
|
8 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| Ventura College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Ventura, California | Public | venturacollege.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| Cleveland Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Shelby, North Carolina | Public | clevelandcc.edu |
| Isothermal Community College (ICC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Spindale, North Carolina | Public | isothermal.edu |
| Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Cleveland, Wisconsin | Public | gotoltc.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Other Award
|
8 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Other Award
|
7 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| Greenville Technical College (GTC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Greenville, South Carolina | Public | gvltec.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Other Award
|
7 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
6 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Other Award
|
6 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Lakewood, Colorado | Public | rrcc.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Alexandria, Minnesota | Public | alextech.edu |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) |
Associate's
|
6 | Fergus Falls, Minnesota | Public | minnesota.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
6 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| El Paso Community College (EPCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | El Paso, Texas | Public | epcc.edu |
| Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Public | wctc.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Glendale, California | Public | glendale.edu |
| Sierra College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Rocklin, California | Public | sierracollege.edu |
| Gateway Technical College |
Associate's
|
5 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | gtc.edu |
| Central Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Drumright, Oklahoma | Public | centraltech.edu |
| Meridian Technology Center (Meridian Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | meridiantech.edu |
| Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lewiston, Idaho | Public | lcsc.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago (TRU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Morton College |
Other Award
|
4 | Cicero, Illinois | Public | morton.edu |
| Monroe County Community College (MCCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Monroe, Michigan | Public | monroeccc.edu |
| Northeast Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
4 | Norfolk, Nebraska | Public | northeast.edu |
| New Mexico State University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | dacc.nmsu.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Associate's
|
4 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Midlands Technical College (MTC) |
Other Award
|
4 | West Columbia, South Carolina | Public | midlandstech.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| Chaffey College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Rancho Cucamonga, California | Public | chaffey.edu |
| Cuyamaca College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | El Cajon, California | Public | cuyamaca.edu |
| Long Beach City College (LBCC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
3 | Long Beach, California | Public | lbcc.edu |
| Kaskaskia College (KC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Centralia, Illinois | Public | kaskaskia.edu |
| Alamance Community College (ACC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Graham, North Carolina | Public | alamancecc.edu |
| Kent State University |
Other Award
|
3 | New Philadelphia, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Lakeland Community College (LCC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
3 | Kirtland, Ohio | Public | lakelandcc.edu |
| York Technical College (York Tech) |
Associate's
|
3 | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | yorktech.edu |
| Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Valley Glen, California | Public | lavc.edu |
| Merced College |
Other Award
|
2 | Merced, California | Public | mccd.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
2 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Savannah Technical College |
Other Award
|
2 | Savannah, Georgia | Public | savannahtech.edu |
| South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Americus, Georgia | Public | southgatech.edu |
| Triton College |
Other Award
|
2 | River Grove, Illinois | Public | triton.edu |
| North Shore Community College (NSCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Public | northshore.edu |
| Gogebic Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Ironwood, Michigan | Public | gogebic.edu |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Salisbury, North Carolina | Public | rccc.edu |
| Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) |
Other Award
|
2 | Orangeburg, South Carolina | Public | octech.edu |
| Pierpont Community and Technical College (PCTC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Fairmont, West Virginia | Public | pierpont.edu |
| Norco College |
Other Award
|
2 | Norco, California | Public | norcocollege.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Other Award
|
1 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| Napa Valley College (NVC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Napa, California | Public | napavalley.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Mechanical Drafting and CAD programs
How much can I earn with a Mechanical Drafting and CAD degree?
Salaries for Mechanical Drafting and CAD graduates vary by role and location. Mechanical Drafters earn a median of $68,510 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Mexico average $85,220 compared to $49,580 in Alabama. Approximately 39,900 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Mechanical Drafting and CAD programs?
Currently 107 accredited institutions offer Mechanical Drafting and CAD degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (49 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (43 graduates), and Wichita State University (WSU Tech), Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (37 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Mechanical Drafting and CAD growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,473 in 2010 to a peak of 1,167 in 2020, before declining slightly to 932 in 2023-24. This represents a 37% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Mechanical Drafting and CAD degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Mechanical Drafters. Related occupations employ approximately 39,900 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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