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Building architectural designer vs design specialist

The differences between building architectural designers and design specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a building architectural designer, becoming a design specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a building architectural designer has an average salary of $67,414, which is higher than the $56,917 average annual salary of a design specialist.

The top three skills for a building architectural designer include customer service, CAD and revit. The most important skills for a design specialist are customer service, sketch, and CAD.

Building architectural designer vs design specialist overview

Building Architectural DesignerDesign Specialist
Yearly salary$67,414$56,917
Hourly rate$32.41$27.36
Growth rate-3%1%
Number of jobs50,29068,347
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4542
Years of experience124

Building architectural designer vs design specialist salary

Building architectural designers and design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Building Architectural DesignerDesign Specialist
Average salary$67,414$56,917
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $92,000Between $35,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City-Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-BP America Inc
Best paying industry--

Differences between building architectural designer and design specialist education

There are a few differences between a building architectural designer and a design specialist in terms of educational background:

Building Architectural DesignerDesign Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorArchitectureGraphic Design
Most common collegeCornell UniversityCornell University

Building architectural designer vs design specialist demographics

Here are the differences between building architectural designers' and design specialists' demographics:

Building Architectural DesignerDesign Specialist
Average age4542
Gender ratioMale, 83.0% Female, 17.0%Male, 55.1% Female, 44.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 1.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage6%23%

Differences between building architectural designer and design specialist duties and responsibilities

Building architectural designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Install doors, windows, flooring (laminate and tile), frame walls, build and design shelves and closets.
  • Repair siding, roof replacement, doors and windows under codes and contracts.
  • Develop customized user interaction models using object-orient prototyping.
  • Conceptualize marketing campaigns that leverage Facebook and social media platforms that are recognized as the new best practice in public engagement.
  • Review of installations and document deficiencies for the client to ensure the design meets codes and contract documents using PowerPoint presentations.
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Design specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage a program of training for designers without cad to get this training.
  • Develop construction drawings using AutoCAD; coordinate bid process and vendor selection; and manage construction process through final punch list.
  • Provide HTML support to the marketing department.
  • Update and maintain corporate website with Dreamweaver.
  • Create and maintain business's customer database in QuickBooks.
  • Implement front end GUI with JavaScript for client side validations.
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Building architectural designer vs design specialist skills

Common building architectural designer skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • CAD, 18%
  • Revit, 11%
  • HVAC, 6%
  • BIM, 6%
  • R, 5%
Common design specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Sketch, 7%
  • CAD, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 6%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 5%
  • Graphic Design, 5%

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