Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between computer aided drafters and architectural 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 computer aided drafter and an architectural designer. Additionally, an architectural designer has an average salary of $59,122, which is higher than the $43,520 average annual salary of a computer aided drafter.
The top three skills for a computer aided drafter include cad standards, revit and aided design. The most important skills for an architectural designer are sketch, sketchup, and BIM.
| Computer Aided Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $43,520 | $59,122 |
| Hourly rate | $20.92 | $28.42 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 16,907 | 54,358 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A computer-aided drafter is responsible for creating designs, usually for industrial manufacturing and construction projects, using computer-aided software systems and applications. Computer-aided drafters should have excellent command in programming languages and navigating computer system codes to develop a technical output, following the clients' specifications and business requirements. They also work closely with design engineers to discuss dimensions, costs, materials, and production processes. A computer-aided drafter must be highly communicative and organizational, incorporating all the schematics, developing operational manuals, and performing draft adjustment as needed.
An Architectural Designer is specialized in planning and designing structures/urban landscapes. They ensure that company policies and standards are maintained when providing services to clients.
Computer aided drafters and architectural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Aided Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Average salary | $43,520 | $59,122 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $57,000 | Between $45,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kearny, NJ | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Johnson Controls | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between a computer aided drafter and an architectural designer in terms of educational background:
| Computer Aided Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Architecture |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between computer aided drafters' and architectural designers' demographics:
| Computer Aided Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| 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% |