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The differences between computer aided drafters and structural 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 a structural drafter. Additionally, a structural drafter has an average salary of $48,536, 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 a structural drafter are revit, shop drawings, and structural drawings.
| Computer Aided Drafter | Structural Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $43,520 | $48,536 |
| Hourly rate | $20.92 | $23.33 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 16,907 | 4,685 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 52% | Associate Degree, 63% |
| 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.
A structural drafter creates technical drawings, plans, and cost estimations. They prepare guidelines and for building bridges, lodges, and manufacturing plants. They typically work for construction companies, transportation firms, or manufacturing firms. They prepare drafts, present them to clients, and complete any revisions requested.
Computer aided drafters and structural drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Aided Drafter | Structural Drafter | |
| Average salary | $43,520 | $48,536 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $57,000 | Between $36,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kearny, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Johnson Controls | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Energy |
There are a few differences between a computer aided drafter and a structural drafter in terms of educational background:
| Computer Aided Drafter | Structural Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 52% | Associate Degree, 63% |
| 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 structural drafters' demographics:
| Computer Aided Drafter | Structural Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8% | Male, 78.9% Female, 21.1% |
| 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% |