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The differences between computer aided design designers and design drafters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a computer aided design designer and a design drafter. Additionally, a computer aided design designer has an average salary of $60,150, which is higher than the $50,021 average annual salary of a design drafter.
The top three skills for a computer aided design designer include auto cad, revit and aided design. The most important skills for a design drafter are layout drawings, auto cad, and engineering drawings.
| Computer Aided Design Designer | Design Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $60,150 | $50,021 |
| Hourly rate | $28.92 | $24.05 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 92,503 | 39,125 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A design drafter is responsible for creating a technical draft of the architects' and engineers' designs using various software applications. Design drafters analyze schematics and blueprints and compare the specifications to the draft, ensuring all the features' accuracy. They review structural details and perform adjustments based on the building techniques standards. A design drafter must have excellent knowledge with the engineering disciplines, as well as manufacturing processes to determine dimensions and minimize material costs without compromising the construction quality.
Computer aided design designers and design drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Aided Design Designer | Design Drafter | |
| Average salary | $60,150 | $50,021 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $89,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a computer aided design designer and a design drafter in terms of educational background:
| Computer Aided Design Designer | Design Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | LeTourneau University | LeTourneau University |
Here are the differences between computer aided design designers' and design drafters' demographics:
| Computer Aided Design Designer | Design Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4% | Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9% |
| 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, 3.0% 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% |