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The differences between autocad designers and mechanical designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an autocad designer, becoming a mechanical designer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a mechanical designer has an average salary of $62,541, which is higher than the $55,786 average annual salary of an autocad designer.
The top three skills for an autocad designer include auto cad, revit and civil engineering. The most important skills for a mechanical designer are mechanical design, revit, and auto cad.
| Autocad Designer | Mechanical Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $55,786 | $62,541 |
| Hourly rate | $26.82 | $30.07 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 46,459 | 65,748 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
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.
A mechanical designer is responsible for designing mechanical equipment and devices, together with the engineers and other technology professionals. Mechanical designers create layouts following the clients' specifications, perform structural analysis, and analyze dimensions to ensure quality. They also inspect overall equipment performance and recommend adjustments as needed to improve its quality and boost optimization. Mechanical designers assist with installation and system upgrades, respond with the clients' inquiries and concerns, and escalate it to the appropriate personnel for resolution. A mechanical designer must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical and technology industry to build designs according to the highest standards.
Autocad designers and mechanical designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Autocad Designer | Mechanical Designer | |
| Average salary | $55,786 | $62,541 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $76,000 | Between $46,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Energy |
There are a few differences between an autocad designer and a mechanical designer in terms of educational background:
| Autocad Designer | Mechanical Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between autocad designers' and mechanical designers' demographics:
| Autocad Designer | Mechanical Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| 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, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 10.5% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |