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Building drafter vs architectural designer

The differences between building drafters and architectural designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a building drafter and an architectural designer. Additionally, an architectural designer has an average salary of $59,122, which is higher than the $53,715 average annual salary of a building drafter.

The top three skills for a building drafter include autocad, and . The most important skills for an architectural designer are sketch, sketchup, and BIM.

Building drafter vs architectural designer overview

Building DrafterArchitectural Designer
Yearly salary$53,715$59,122
Hourly rate$25.82$28.42
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs6,87954,358
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

Building drafter vs architectural designer salary

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

Building DrafterArchitectural Designer
Average salary$53,715$59,122
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $79,000Between $45,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between building drafter and architectural designer education

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

Building DrafterArchitectural Designer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignArchitecture
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Building drafter vs architectural designer demographics

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

Building DrafterArchitectural Designer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 95.7% Female, 4.3%Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
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, 3.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between building drafter and architectural designer duties and responsibilities

Building drafter example responsibilities.

  • Learned and utilize AutoCAD by practicing several drawing types from restaurants to hotels.
  • Render complete assemblies of conveyor systems to customer's specifications using SolidWorks.
  • Utilize extensive skills in CADD technology, complement by construction industry expertise to provide tailor designs meeting customer needs.

Architectural designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage in- house projects and AutoCAD drawings.
  • Manage design and coordinate construction of grind up, interior finish, conversions and remodel projects.
  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Submit drawings to OSHPD for approval.
  • Submit & review OSHPD back check comments.
  • Participate in sustainable practices for leer certified projects.
  • Show more

Building drafter vs architectural designer skills

Common building drafter skills
  • Autocad, 100%
Common architectural designer skills
  • Sketch, 15%
  • SketchUp, 7%
  • BIM, 6%
  • Architectural Design, 6%
  • Building Codes, 5%
  • Construction Drawings, 4%

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