Virginia · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

Best Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians institutions in Virginia, ranked by earnings

The Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians program equips students with the skills needed to create detailed design drawings and specifications for various engineering projects. This program is ideal for individuals…

Institutions
13
offering CIP 15.13
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
152
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$41,114
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$25,803
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
41%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Mechanical Drafters
$66,730
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Tidewater Community College
Norfolk Public · Associate degree
$41,1141632%

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Mechanical Drafters (SOC 17-3013).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-6.5%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~3,300
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$68,510
typically Associate's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingActive LearningActive ListeningMathematicsReading ComprehensionSpeaking

What Mechanical Drafters earn in Virginia

Jobs in Virginia
540
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$66,730
median $64,820
Best-paying metro
$69,870
Richmond, VA

Related careers

Architectural and Civil Drafters
$66,830 avg · 2,320 jobs
Mechanical Drafters
$66,730 avg · 540 jobs
Electrical and Electronics Drafters
$75,070 avg · 410 jobs
Drafters, All Other
$61,760 avg · 230 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs in Virginia.

Which Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Tidewater Community College tops the list at $41,114. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Mechanical Drafters earn in Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Mechanical Drafters in Virginia is $66,730 (median $64,820), across about 540 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians program?+

The Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians program equips students with the skills needed to create detailed design drawings and specifications for various engineering projects. This program is ideal for individuals…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, active learning, active listening, mathematics, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Mechanical Drafters?+

The national job outlook is about -6.5% growth with around 3,300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Associate's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians in other statesMissouriUtahOregonKentuckyMichiganMinnesotaIdahoCalifornia

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card