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The differences between autocad 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 autocad drafter and a structural drafter. Additionally, a structural drafter has an average salary of $48,536, 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 a structural drafter are revit, shop drawings, and structural drawings.
| Autocad Drafter | Structural Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $41,984 | $48,536 |
| Hourly rate | $20.18 | $23.33 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 2,429 | 4,685 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Associate Degree, 63% |
| 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.
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 drafters and structural drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Autocad Drafter | Structural Drafter | |
| Average salary | $41,984 | $48,536 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $55,000 | Between $36,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | Garfield, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | GPAC | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | Government | Energy |
There are a few differences between an autocad drafter and a structural drafter in terms of educational background:
| Autocad Drafter | Structural Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | 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 drafters' and structural drafters' demographics:
| Autocad Drafter | Structural Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% | 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% |