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Chief drafter vs truss designer

The differences between chief drafters and truss 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 chief drafter and a truss designer. Additionally, a truss designer has an average salary of $50,866, 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 a truss designer are mitek, design software, and auto cad.

Chief drafter vs truss designer overview

Chief DrafterTruss Designer
Yearly salary$48,281$50,866
Hourly rate$23.21$24.45
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs14,85545,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Associate Degree, 46%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

Chief drafter vs truss designer salary

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

Chief DrafterTruss Designer
Average salary$48,281$50,866
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $68,000Between $36,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between chief drafter and truss designer education

There are a few differences between a chief drafter and a truss designer in terms of educational background:

Chief DrafterTruss Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Associate Degree, 46%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignDrafting And Design
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyCarnegie Mellon University

Chief drafter vs truss designer demographics

Here are the differences between chief drafters' and truss designers' demographics:

Chief DrafterTruss Designer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 100.0% Female, 0.0%Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2%
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 chief drafter and truss designer 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.

Truss designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Provide engineering drawings, material estimates, GIS.
  • Develop software creativity skills designing commercial and residential trusses using MiTek 3D truss design software.
  • Set up and operate both manual and CNC machining equipment.
  • Program and operate CNC Emco and CNC Hurco fabrication machinery.
  • Research and purchase materials require for project completion from BOM take-off.
  • Show more

Chief drafter vs truss designer skills

Common chief drafter skills
  • Autocad, 72%
  • Design Criteria, 28%
Common truss designer skills
  • Mitek, 20%
  • Design Software, 17%
  • Auto CAD, 16%
  • Layout Design, 13%
  • Roof Trusses, 6%
  • Engineering Software, 4%

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