Associate drafter vs structural drafter

The differences between associate drafters and structural 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 associate drafter and a structural drafter. Additionally, an associate drafter has an average salary of $52,051, which is higher than the $48,536 average annual salary of a structural drafter.

The top three skills for an associate drafter include GD, shop drawings and technical drawings. The most important skills for a structural drafter are revit, shop drawings, and structural drawings.

Associate drafter vs structural drafter overview

	Associate Drafter	Structural Drafter
Yearly salary	$52,051	$48,536
Hourly rate	$25.02	$23.33
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	2,109	4,685
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 55%	Associate Degree, 63%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	12

Associate drafter vs structural drafter salary

Associate drafters and structural drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Associate Drafter	Structural Drafter
Average salary	$52,051	$48,536
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $69,000	Between $36,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Jacobs Engineering Group
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between associate drafter and structural drafter education

There are a few differences between an associate drafter and a structural drafter in terms of educational background:

	Associate Drafter	Structural Drafter
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 55%	Associate Degree, 63%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Drafting And Design
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Carnegie Mellon University

Associate drafter vs structural drafter demographics

Here are the differences between associate drafters' and structural drafters' demographics:

	Associate Drafter	Structural Drafter
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 56.3% Female, 43.7%	Male, 78.9% Female, 21.1%
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 associate drafter and structural drafter duties and responsibilities

Associate drafter example responsibilities.

Manage the design history of 3D part models, assemblies, and drawings using PDM software.
Develop, organize and maintain AutoCAD standards for designers to use resulting in efficient production and time management.
Update stock plans as necessary according to AMDA standards.

Structural drafter example responsibilities.

Create as-built AutoCAD and Revit structural drawings for existing conditions.
Create CNC nesting programs for wood, plastic, and graphics.
Create automated schedules, sections, views and plans from Revit database content.
Produce molding samples, analyze pressure & temperature control, CNC part programme adjustments.
Inspect electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, mold, insulation, damages, & conditions of the house.
Develop elevations with horizontal and vertical section detail drawings.

Associate drafter vs structural drafter skills

Common associate drafter skills

GD, 73%
Shop Drawings, 13%
Technical Drawings, 9%
Autodesk, 5%

Common structural drafter skills

Revit, 25%
Shop Drawings, 11%
Structural Drawings, 8%
Elevations, 6%
BIM, 6%
Construction Drawings, 5%