Architectural drafter vs senior drafter

The differences between architectural drafters and senior drafters 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 drafter and a senior drafter. Additionally, an architectural drafter has an average salary of $49,944, which is higher than the $44,988 average annual salary of a senior drafter.

The top three skills for an architectural drafter include revit, construction drawings and architectural drawings. The most important skills for a senior drafter are autocad, layout drawings, and cad standards.

Architectural drafter vs senior drafter overview

	Architectural Drafter	Senior Drafter
Yearly salary	$49,944	$44,988
Hourly rate	$24.01	$21.63
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	7,139	3,189
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 61%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	12

Architectural drafter vs senior drafter salary

Architectural drafters and senior drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Architectural Drafter	Senior Drafter
Average salary	$49,944	$44,988
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $65,000	Between $33,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	-
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	-
Best paying company	Rafael Viñoly Architects	-
Best paying industry	Professional	-

Differences between architectural drafter and senior drafter education

There are a few differences between an architectural drafter and a senior drafter in terms of educational background:

	Architectural Drafter	Senior Drafter
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 61%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Drafting And Design
Most common college	Carnegie Mellon University	Carnegie Mellon University

Architectural drafter vs senior drafter demographics

Here are the differences between architectural drafters' and senior drafters' demographics:

	Architectural Drafter	Senior Drafter
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0%	Male, 75.4% Female, 24.6%
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%

Differences between architectural drafter and senior drafter duties and responsibilities

Architectural drafter example responsibilities.

Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
Prepare plumbing schematics and as-built.
Utilize AutoCAD 2005 and MicroStation V8.
Operate Microstation SE and Microstation V8.
Demonstrate expertise in building code, lighting, MEP.
Translate the client's briefs into sketch plans for client approval.

Senior drafter example responsibilities.

Manage the design history of 3D part models, assemblies, and drawings using PDM software.
Produce design and construction drawings electrical and HVAC departments for commercial and residential projects per applicable national codes and regulations.
Create BIM design from concept.
Detail and draft structures in Revit.
Maintain an engineering change notice (ECN) system.
Design HVAC and plumbing layouts on existing architectural xrefs.

Architectural drafter vs senior drafter skills

Common architectural drafter skills

Revit, 28%
Construction Drawings, 11%
Architectural Drawings, 7%
Shop Drawings, 6%
Sketch, 6%
Building Codes, 6%

Common senior drafter skills

Autocad, 25%
Layout Drawings, 7%
CAD Standards, 5%
Engineering Drawings, 4%
Aided Design, 4%
Revit, 4%