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The differences between architectural drafters and truss 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 drafter and a truss designer. Additionally, a truss designer has an average salary of $50,866, which is higher than the $49,944 average annual salary of an architectural drafter.
The top three skills for an architectural drafter include revit, construction drawings and architectural drawings. The most important skills for a truss designer are mitek, design software, and auto cad.
| Architectural Drafter | Truss Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $49,944 | $50,866 |
| Hourly rate | $24.01 | $24.45 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 7,139 | 45,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Architectural drafters are skilled professionals who work alongside architects and engineers to craft technical drawings of construction projects. They use computer software to render technical models of designs made by architects. They create these designs in great detail to ensure that everything is captured perfectly. Architectural drafters may specialize in different design areas, such as building or infrastructure type and materials used for construction. Architectural drafters need to visit the site for a better appreciation of the project. They may also use this time to coordinate with engineers and architects.
A truss designer's major responsibility is to design layouts for floors and roofs. They work with architects and engineers to ensure the feasibility of new designs. They also develop schematics through computer-aided design (CAD) software. They are required to work on layouts for roofs and flooring for both residential and commercial buildings.
Architectural drafters and truss designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Architectural Drafter | Truss Designer | |
| Average salary | $49,944 | $50,866 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $65,000 | Between $36,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | - |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | - |
| Best paying company | Rafael Viñoly Architects | - |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between an architectural drafter and a truss designer in terms of educational background:
| Architectural Drafter | Truss Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between architectural drafters' and truss designers' demographics:
| Architectural Drafter | Truss Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0% | Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2% |
| 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% |