Cadd operator vs computer aided design designer

The differences between cadd operators and computer aided design 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 operator, becoming a computer aided design designer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a computer aided design designer has an average salary of $60,150, which is higher than the $46,471 average annual salary of a cadd operator.

The top three skills for a cadd operator include construction drawings, civil engineering and revit. The most important skills for a computer aided design designer are auto cad, revit, and aided design.

Cadd operator vs computer aided design designer overview

	Cadd Operator	Computer Aided Design Designer
Yearly salary	$46,471	$60,150
Hourly rate	$22.34	$28.92
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	27,080	92,503
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 55%	Associate Degree, 45%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	4

Cadd operator vs computer aided design designer salary

Cadd operators and computer aided design designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cadd Operator	Computer Aided Design Designer
Average salary	$46,471	$60,150
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $62,000	Between $40,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Meta
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between cadd operator and computer aided design designer education

There are a few differences between a cadd operator and a computer aided design designer in terms of educational background:

	Cadd Operator	Computer Aided Design Designer
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 55%	Associate Degree, 45%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Drafting And Design
Most common college	Carnegie Mellon University	LeTourneau University

Cadd operator vs computer aided design designer demographics

Here are the differences between cadd operators' and computer aided design designers' demographics:

	Cadd Operator	Computer Aided Design Designer
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2%	Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%
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, 3.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 73.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between cadd operator and computer aided design designer duties and responsibilities

Cadd operator example responsibilities.

Manage Autodesk accounts and train drafters and field crews as well.
Prepare 3-D HVAC drawings to aid in coordinating project responsibilities and tasks with other trades.
Create mechanical construction documents (HVAC) from engineer's sketches, including some design work.
Experience providing in-field assistance to survey crew with boundary, topographic, construction stakeout and GPS control survey.
Prepare presentations using PowerPoint for training purposes.
Purchase and coordinate specific project materials such as custom metal roofing and custom windows for over-seas contractors.

Computer aided design designer example responsibilities.

Manage the ECN process by assigning the highest priority requests through coordination between engineering staff and drafting personnel.
Manage and supervise other draftsmen.
Develop a product design to solve the problem of height adjustment of a chair using PTC CreO Direct/Elements & parametric.
Used primiarly pro-e with some autocad.
Work with both Intralink and Windchill.
Create blueprints/drawings of unique grille designs for glass windows using computer program

Cadd operator vs computer aided design designer skills

Common cadd operator skills

Construction Drawings, 23%
Civil Engineering, 14%
Revit, 6%
Cost Estimates, 5%
Plumbing, 4%
Survey Data, 4%

Common computer aided design designer skills

Auto CAD, 8%
Revit, 8%
Aided Design, 7%
Construction Drawings, 4%
Engineering Drawings, 4%
Design Drawings, 4%

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Cadd Operator
Cadd Operator vs Computer Aided Design Designer

Updated January 8, 2025

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