Computer aided design designer vs autocad drafter

The differences between computer aided design designers and autocad drafters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a computer aided design designer, becoming an autocad drafter takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a computer aided design designer has an average salary of $60,150, which is higher than the $41,984 average annual salary of an autocad drafter.

The top three skills for a computer aided design designer include auto cad, revit and aided design. The most important skills for an autocad drafter are construction drawings, layout drawings, and revit.

Computer aided design designer vs autocad drafter overview

	Computer Aided Design Designer	Autocad Drafter
Yearly salary	$60,150	$41,984
Hourly rate	$28.92	$20.18
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	92,503	2,429
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	12

What does a computer aided design designer do?

A computer-aided design (CAD) designer is responsible for creating plan outlines and project designs for a specific business need. A CAD designer utilizes various technologies and software applications to generate graphic illustrations. CAD designers must have strong knowledge of the technology designs, software management, engineering standards, and the construction industry fundamentals. CAD designers label their works with appropriate dimensions and specifications, performing necessary adjustments to meet the clients' needs. A CAD designer requires excellent critical-thinking and analytical skills to manage design structures and creative solutions.

What does an autocad drafter do?

An Autocad Drafter develops drawings and plans for the construction and manufacturing industries. They use various types of computer-aided design and drafting software.

Computer aided design designer vs autocad drafter salary

Computer aided design designers and autocad drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Computer Aided Design Designer	Autocad Drafter
Average salary	$60,150	$41,984
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $89,000	Between $31,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Garfield, NJ
Highest paying state	California	Rhode Island
Best paying company	Meta	GPAC
Best paying industry	Automotive	Government

Differences between computer aided design designer and autocad drafter education

There are a few differences between a computer aided design designer and an autocad drafter in terms of educational background:

	Computer Aided Design Designer	Autocad Drafter
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Drafting And Design
Most common college	LeTourneau University	Carnegie Mellon University

Computer aided design designer vs autocad drafter demographics

Here are the differences between computer aided design designers' and autocad drafters' demographics:

	Computer Aided Design Designer	Autocad Drafter
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratio	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%	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 computer aided design designer and autocad drafter duties and responsibilities

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

Autocad drafter example responsibilities.

Update mechanical drawings per engineering change orders using AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
Create as-built drawings for security systems using AutoCAD
Produce complete architectural drawings for several residential projects, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing construction documents.
Create and maintain BOM for each job design
Used GIS mapping coordinates systems to ensure point accuracy.
Create designs consisting of fire alarm systems using AutoCAD MEP.

Computer aided design designer vs autocad drafter skills

Common computer aided design designer skills

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

Common autocad drafter skills

Construction Drawings, 12%
Layout Drawings, 8%
Revit, 8%
Shop Drawings, 7%
GIS, 5%
Auto CAD, 5%

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Computer Aided Design Designer
Computer Aided Design Designer vs Autocad Drafter

Updated January 8, 2025

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