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Architectural designer vs architectural technician

The differences between architectural designers and architectural technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an architectural designer and an architectural technician. Additionally, an architectural technician has an average salary of $83,667, which is higher than the $59,122 average annual salary of an architectural designer.

The top three skills for an architectural designer include sketch, sketchup and BIM. The most important skills for an architectural technician are sketch, revit, and construction drawings.

Architectural designer vs architectural technician overview

Architectural DesignerArchitectural Technician
Yearly salary$59,122$83,667
Hourly rate$28.42$40.22
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs54,3589,495
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

Architectural designer vs architectural technician salary

Architectural designers and architectural technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Architectural DesignerArchitectural Technician
Average salary$59,122$83,667
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $77,000Between $56,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateVermontCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleGoogle
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between architectural designer and architectural technician education

There are a few differences between an architectural designer and an architectural technician in terms of educational background:

Architectural DesignerArchitectural Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorArchitectureArchitecture
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCarnegie Mellon University

Architectural designer vs architectural technician demographics

Here are the differences between architectural designers' and architectural technicians' demographics:

Architectural DesignerArchitectural Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 70.1% Female, 29.9%Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between architectural designer and architectural technician duties and responsibilities

Architectural designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage in- house projects and AutoCAD drawings.
  • Manage design and coordinate construction of grind up, interior finish, conversions and remodel projects.
  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Submit drawings to OSHPD for approval.
  • Submit & review OSHPD back check comments.
  • Participate in sustainable practices for leer certified projects.
  • Show more

Architectural technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Train employees on Revit basics and provide AutoCad support.
  • Work with architects and project managers to produce 3d models and detail drawings for various types of large facilities using Revit.
  • Prepare and administer construction documents MEP and blue prints using computer assist draw software and other computer applications.
  • Edit and render high quality video animation to provide the story frame-by-frame of modeling and surroundings.

Architectural designer vs architectural technician skills

Common architectural designer skills
  • Sketch, 15%
  • SketchUp, 7%
  • BIM, 6%
  • Architectural Design, 6%
  • Building Codes, 5%
  • Construction Drawings, 4%
Common architectural technician skills
  • Sketch, 30%
  • Revit, 23%
  • Construction Drawings, 8%
  • BIM, 5%
  • Design Development, 5%
  • Architectural Drawings, 4%

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