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The differences between architectural designers and autocad designers 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 autocad designer. Additionally, an architectural designer has an average salary of $59,122, which is higher than the $55,786 average annual salary of an autocad designer.
The top three skills for an architectural designer include sketch, sketchup and BIM. The most important skills for an autocad designer are auto cad, revit, and civil engineering.
| Architectural Designer | Autocad Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $59,122 | $55,786 |
| Hourly rate | $28.42 | $26.82 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 54,358 | 46,459 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
An Architectural Designer is specialized in planning and designing structures/urban landscapes. They ensure that company policies and standards are maintained when providing services to clients.
Typically working in the construction and manufacturing industry, an AutoCAD designer specializes in designing and developing 2D and 3D drawings using AutoCAD software. It is their duty to coordinate with architects and engineers to discuss ideas and project needs, create and prepare designs for client approval, generate models through the AutoCAD software, and prepare progress reports and presentations for the clients. Furthermore, as an AutoCAD designer, it is essential to adhere to the company's standards and regulations, especially the clients' vision.
Architectural designers and autocad designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Architectural Designer | Autocad Designer | |
| Average salary | $59,122 | $55,786 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $77,000 | Between $40,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Apple | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Construction |
There are a few differences between an architectural designer and an autocad designer in terms of educational background:
| Architectural Designer | Autocad Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Architecture | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between architectural designers' and autocad designers' demographics:
| Architectural Designer | Autocad Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% | Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 6% | 6% |