Chief drafter vs architectural drafter

The differences between chief drafters and architectural drafters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a chief drafter and an architectural drafter. Additionally, an architectural drafter has an average salary of $49,944, which is higher than the $48,281 average annual salary of a chief drafter.

The top three skills for a chief drafter include autocad, design criteria and . The most important skills for an architectural drafter are revit, construction drawings, and architectural drawings.

Chief drafter vs architectural drafter overview

	Chief Drafter	Architectural Drafter
Yearly salary	$48,281	$49,944
Hourly rate	$23.21	$24.01
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	14,855	7,139
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Associate Degree, 45%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	12

Chief drafter vs architectural drafter salary

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

	Chief Drafter	Architectural Drafter
Average salary	$48,281	$49,944
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $68,000	Between $37,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Rhode Island
Best paying company	-	Rafael Viñoly Architects
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between chief drafter and architectural drafter education

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

	Chief Drafter	Architectural Drafter
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Associate Degree, 45%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Drafting And Design
Most common college	Georgia Institute of Technology	Carnegie Mellon University

Chief drafter vs architectural drafter demographics

Here are the differences between chief drafters' and architectural drafters' demographics:

	Chief Drafter	Architectural Drafter
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%	Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0%
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%

Differences between chief drafter and architectural drafter duties and responsibilities

Chief drafter example responsibilities.

Manage the design history of 3D part models, assemblies, and drawings using PDM software.
Develop, organize and maintain AutoCAD standards for designers to use resulting in efficient production and time management.
Update stock plans as necessary according to AMDA standards.

Architectural drafter example responsibilities.

Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
Prepare plumbing schematics and as-built.
Utilize AutoCAD 2005 and MicroStation V8.
Operate Microstation SE and Microstation V8.
Demonstrate expertise in building code, lighting, MEP.
Translate the client's briefs into sketch plans for client approval.

Chief drafter vs architectural drafter skills

Common chief drafter skills

Autocad, 72%
Design Criteria, 28%

Common architectural drafter skills

Revit, 28%
Construction Drawings, 11%
Architectural Drawings, 7%
Shop Drawings, 6%
Sketch, 6%
Building Codes, 6%