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The differences between cadd drafters and mechanical designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a cadd drafter, becoming a mechanical designer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a mechanical designer has an average salary of $62,541, 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 a mechanical designer are mechanical design, revit, and auto cad.
| Cadd Drafter | Mechanical Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $49,161 | $62,541 |
| Hourly rate | $23.64 | $30.07 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 2,268 | 65,748 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
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.
A mechanical designer is responsible for designing mechanical equipment and devices, together with the engineers and other technology professionals. Mechanical designers create layouts following the clients' specifications, perform structural analysis, and analyze dimensions to ensure quality. They also inspect overall equipment performance and recommend adjustments as needed to improve its quality and boost optimization. Mechanical designers assist with installation and system upgrades, respond with the clients' inquiries and concerns, and escalate it to the appropriate personnel for resolution. A mechanical designer must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical and technology industry to build designs according to the highest standards.
Cadd drafters and mechanical designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cadd Drafter | Mechanical Designer | |
| Average salary | $49,161 | $62,541 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $46,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | - | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a cadd drafter and a mechanical designer in terms of educational background:
| Cadd Drafter | Mechanical Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| 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 mechanical designers' demographics:
| Cadd Drafter | Mechanical Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.6% Female, 25.4% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| 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, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 10.5% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |