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The differences between autocad designers 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 autocad designer and a structural drafter. Additionally, an autocad designer has an average salary of $55,786, which is higher than the $48,536 average annual salary of a structural drafter.
The top three skills for an autocad designer include auto cad, revit and civil engineering. The most important skills for a structural drafter are revit, shop drawings, and structural drawings.
| Autocad Designer | Structural Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $55,786 | $48,536 |
| Hourly rate | $26.82 | $23.33 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 46,459 | 4,685 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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 structural drafter creates technical drawings, plans, and cost estimations. They prepare guidelines and for building bridges, lodges, and manufacturing plants. They typically work for construction companies, transportation firms, or manufacturing firms. They prepare drafts, present them to clients, and complete any revisions requested.
Autocad designers and structural drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Autocad Designer | Structural Drafter | |
| Average salary | $55,786 | $48,536 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $76,000 | Between $36,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Energy |
There are a few differences between an autocad designer and a structural drafter in terms of educational background:
| Autocad Designer | Structural Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 63% |
| 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 structural drafters' demographics:
| Autocad Designer | Structural Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9% | 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% |