Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between autocad technicians and computer aided drafters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become an autocad technician, becoming a computer aided drafter takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an autocad technician has an average salary of $47,720, which is higher than the $43,520 average annual salary of a computer aided drafter.
The top three skills for an autocad technician include civil 3d, revit and engineering drawings. The most important skills for a computer aided drafter are cad standards, revit, and aided design.
| Autocad Technician | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $47,720 | $43,520 |
| Hourly rate | $22.94 | $20.92 |
| Growth rate | - | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 31,482 | 16,907 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 46% | Associate Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 12 |
An Autocad technician specializes in producing blueprints and electronic design plans using special computer software. They may work in different industries such as construction, automotive, manufacturing, and electronics, working together with engineers in developing designs and computer models. Their job also entails creating 2D and 3D models according to the clients' preferences and project requirements, revise designs as necessary, and produce regular work reports. Moreover, an Autocad technician must maintain an open communication line with co-workers to ensure an efficient workflow.
A computer-aided drafter is responsible for creating designs, usually for industrial manufacturing and construction projects, using computer-aided software systems and applications. Computer-aided drafters should have excellent command in programming languages and navigating computer system codes to develop a technical output, following the clients' specifications and business requirements. They also work closely with design engineers to discuss dimensions, costs, materials, and production processes. A computer-aided drafter must be highly communicative and organizational, incorporating all the schematics, developing operational manuals, and performing draft adjustment as needed.
Autocad technicians and computer aided drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Autocad Technician | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Average salary | $47,720 | $43,520 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $69,000 | Between $33,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Kearny, NJ |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | Johnson Controls |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between an autocad technician and a computer aided drafter in terms of educational background:
| Autocad Technician | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 46% | Associate Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between autocad technicians' and computer aided drafters' demographics:
| Autocad Technician | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.2% Female, 23.8% | Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.1% 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% |