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The differences between autocad drafters and architectural 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 drafter and an architectural drafter. Additionally, an architectural drafter has an average salary of $49,944, which is higher than the $41,984 average annual salary of an autocad drafter.
The top three skills for an autocad drafter include construction drawings, layout drawings and revit. The most important skills for an architectural drafter are revit, construction drawings, and architectural drawings.
| Autocad Drafter | Architectural Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $41,984 | $49,944 |
| Hourly rate | $20.18 | $24.01 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 2,429 | 7,139 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
An Autocad Drafter develops drawings and plans for the construction and manufacturing industries. They use various types of computer-aided design and drafting software.
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.
Autocad drafters and architectural drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Autocad Drafter | Architectural Drafter | |
| Average salary | $41,984 | $49,944 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $55,000 | Between $37,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | Garfield, NJ | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | GPAC | Rafael Viñoly Architects |
| Best paying industry | Government | Professional |
There are a few differences between an autocad drafter and an architectural drafter in terms of educational background:
| Autocad Drafter | Architectural Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between autocad drafters' and architectural drafters' demographics:
| Autocad Drafter | Architectural Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% | Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0% |
| 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% |