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Architectural technician vs computer aided drafter

The differences between architectural technicians and computer aided 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 technician and a computer aided drafter. Additionally, an architectural technician has an average salary of $83,667, which is higher than the $43,520 average annual salary of a computer aided drafter.

The top three skills for an architectural technician include sketch, revit and construction drawings. The most important skills for a computer aided drafter are cad standards, revit, and aided design.

Architectural technician vs computer aided drafter overview

Architectural TechnicianComputer Aided Drafter
Yearly salary$83,667$43,520
Hourly rate$40.22$20.92
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs9,49516,907
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Associate Degree, 52%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

Architectural technician vs computer aided drafter salary

Architectural technicians and computer aided drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Architectural TechnicianComputer Aided Drafter
Average salary$83,667$43,520
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $123,000Between $33,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAKearny, NJ
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyGoogleJohnson Controls
Best paying industryTechnologyProfessional

Differences between architectural technician and computer aided drafter education

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

Architectural TechnicianComputer Aided Drafter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Associate Degree, 52%
Most common majorArchitectureDrafting And Design
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University

Architectural technician vs computer aided drafter demographics

Here are the differences between architectural technicians' and computer aided drafters' demographics:

Architectural TechnicianComputer Aided Drafter
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 78.5% Female, 21.5%Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8%
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 technician and computer aided drafter duties and responsibilities

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.

Computer aided drafter example responsibilities.

  • Clean up architectural drawings to bare walls, convert layers and add masonry reinforcements to walls, doors and windows.
  • Used VBA to program business tools.
  • Create detail blue prints for jigs to be build for production.
  • Translate REVIT (BIM) files into AutoCAD-ready files from contract architect.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations to introduce the flows of the conveyor belt systems.
  • Conduct field and sketch analysis to determine the most effective approach for plan development.
  • Show more

Architectural technician vs computer aided drafter skills

Common architectural technician skills
  • Sketch, 30%
  • Revit, 23%
  • Construction Drawings, 8%
  • BIM, 5%
  • Design Development, 5%
  • Architectural Drawings, 4%
Common computer aided drafter skills
  • CAD Standards, 9%
  • Revit, 7%
  • Aided Design, 6%
  • CAD Drawings, 5%
  • Shop Drawings, 4%
  • Autocad Release, 4%

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