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The differences between computer aided drafters and autocad 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 computer aided drafter and an autocad drafter. Additionally, a computer aided drafter has an average salary of $43,520, which is higher than the $41,984 average annual salary of an autocad drafter.
The top three skills for a computer aided drafter include cad standards, revit and aided design. The most important skills for an autocad drafter are construction drawings, layout drawings, and revit.
| Computer Aided Drafter | Autocad Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $43,520 | $41,984 |
| Hourly rate | $20.92 | $20.18 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 16,907 | 2,429 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| 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 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 drafters and autocad drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Aided Drafter | Autocad Drafter | |
| Average salary | $43,520 | $41,984 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $57,000 | Between $31,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kearny, NJ | Garfield, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Johnson Controls | GPAC |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between a computer aided drafter and an autocad drafter in terms of educational background:
| Computer Aided Drafter | Autocad Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between computer aided drafters' and autocad drafters' demographics:
| Computer Aided Drafter | Autocad Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8% | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% |
| 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% |