Autocad operator vs structural drafter

The differences between autocad operators 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 operator and a structural drafter. Additionally, a structural drafter has an average salary of $48,536, which is higher than the $44,278 average annual salary of an autocad operator.

The top three skills for an autocad operator include shop drawings, plumbing and HVAC. The most important skills for a structural drafter are revit, shop drawings, and structural drawings.

Autocad operator vs structural drafter overview

	Autocad Operator	Structural Drafter
Yearly salary	$44,278	$48,536
Hourly rate	$21.29	$23.33
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	27,082	4,685
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 63%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	12

Autocad operator vs structural drafter salary

Autocad operators and structural drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Autocad Operator	Structural Drafter
Average salary	$44,278	$48,536
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $62,000	Between $36,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Jacobs Engineering Group
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between autocad operator and structural drafter education

There are a few differences between an autocad operator and a structural drafter in terms of educational background:

	Autocad Operator	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

Autocad operator vs structural drafter demographics

Here are the differences between autocad operators' and structural drafters' demographics:

	Autocad Operator	Structural Drafter
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8%	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%

Differences between autocad operator and structural drafter duties and responsibilities

Autocad operator example responsibilities.

Manage Autodesk accounts and train drafters and field crews as well.
Incorporate HVAC construction drawings into coordination drawings
Provide Revit MEP training for employees.
Download data points to GIS software.
Assist with setting up Revit projects.
Expose to CNC machining and assist in programming them.

Structural drafter example responsibilities.

Create as-built AutoCAD and Revit structural drawings for existing conditions.
Create CNC nesting programs for wood, plastic, and graphics.
Create automated schedules, sections, views and plans from Revit database content.
Produce molding samples, analyze pressure & temperature control, CNC part programme adjustments.
Inspect electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, mold, insulation, damages, & conditions of the house.
Develop elevations with horizontal and vertical section detail drawings.

Autocad operator vs structural drafter skills

Common autocad operator skills

Shop Drawings, 10%
Plumbing, 8%
HVAC, 7%
Auto CAD, 7%
CNC, 6%
As-Built Drawings, 6%

Common structural drafter skills

Revit, 25%
Shop Drawings, 11%
Structural Drawings, 8%
Elevations, 6%
BIM, 6%
Construction Drawings, 5%