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The differences between cadd drafters and autocad 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 cadd drafter and an autocad designer. Additionally, an autocad designer has an average salary of $55,786, which is higher than the $49,161 average annual salary of a cadd drafter.
The top three skills for a cadd drafter include civil 3d, civil design and shop drawings. The most important skills for an autocad designer are auto cad, revit, and civil engineering.
| Cadd Drafter | Autocad Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $49,161 | $55,786 |
| Hourly rate | $23.64 | $26.82 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 2,268 | 46,459 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A CAAD drafter specializes in producing technical drafts and designs for different industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, and even construction. They primarily use computer-aided special software to develop new sketches, enhancing existing designs when necessary. Their duties include meeting with clients or managers to identify and understand project requirements, conducting research and analyses, creating drafts for client approval, and revising drafts as necessary. Moreover, as a CAAD drafter, it is essential to coordinate and maintain an open communication line with engineers and team members for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Typically working in the construction and manufacturing industry, an AutoCAD designer specializes in designing and developing 2D and 3D drawings using AutoCAD software. It is their duty to coordinate with architects and engineers to discuss ideas and project needs, create and prepare designs for client approval, generate models through the AutoCAD software, and prepare progress reports and presentations for the clients. Furthermore, as an AutoCAD designer, it is essential to adhere to the company's standards and regulations, especially the clients' vision.
Cadd drafters and autocad designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cadd Drafter | Autocad Designer | |
| Average salary | $49,161 | $55,786 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $40,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | - | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | - | Construction |
There are a few differences between a cadd drafter and an autocad designer in terms of educational background:
| Cadd Drafter | Autocad Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between cadd drafters' and autocad designers' demographics:
| Cadd Drafter | Autocad Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.6% Female, 25.4% | Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9% |
| 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% |