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The differences between autocad drafters and autocad designers 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 autocad designer. Additionally, an autocad designer has an average salary of $55,786, 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 autocad designer are auto cad, revit, and civil engineering.
| Autocad Drafter | Autocad Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $41,984 | $55,786 |
| Hourly rate | $20.18 | $26.82 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 2,429 | 46,459 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Bachelor's 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.
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.
Autocad drafters and autocad designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Autocad Drafter | Autocad Designer | |
| Average salary | $41,984 | $55,786 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $55,000 | Between $40,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | Garfield, NJ | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | GPAC | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | Government | Construction |
There are a few differences between an autocad drafter and an autocad designer in terms of educational background:
| Autocad Drafter | Autocad Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Bachelor's 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 autocad designers' demographics:
| Autocad Drafter | Autocad Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% | Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9% |
| 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, 3.1% 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% |