Computer drafter vs computer aided drafter

The differences between computer drafters and computer aided 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 drafter and a computer aided drafter. Additionally, a computer drafter has an average salary of $43,522, which is higher than the $43,520 average annual salary of a computer aided drafter.

The top three skills for a computer drafter include cadd, auto-cad and computer drawings. The most important skills for a computer aided drafter are cad standards, revit, and aided design.

Computer drafter vs computer aided drafter overview

	Computer Drafter	Computer Aided Drafter
Yearly salary	$43,522	$43,520
Hourly rate	$20.92	$20.92
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	15,242	16,907
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 49%	Associate Degree, 52%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	12

Computer drafter vs computer aided drafter salary

Computer drafters and computer aided drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Computer Drafter	Computer Aided Drafter
Average salary	$43,522	$43,520
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $60,000	Between $33,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	-	Kearny, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Johnson Controls
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between computer drafter and computer aided drafter education

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

	Computer Drafter	Computer Aided Drafter
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 49%	Associate Degree, 52%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Drafting And Design
Most common college	Carnegie Mellon University	Carnegie Mellon University

Computer drafter vs computer aided drafter demographics

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

	Computer Drafter	Computer Aided Drafter
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 68.8% Female, 31.2%	Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8%
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%

Differences between computer drafter and computer aided drafter duties and responsibilities

Computer drafter example responsibilities.

Manage the design history of 3D part models, assemblies, and drawings using PDM software.
Render complete assemblies of conveyor systems to customer's specifications using SolidWorks.
Purchase and coordinate specific project materials such as custom metal roofing and custom windows for over-seas contractors.
Work perform in PDMS Design/Draft and AutoCAD r.2006.

Computer aided drafter example responsibilities.

Clean up architectural drawings to bare walls, convert layers and add masonry reinforcements to walls, doors and windows.
Used VBA to program business tools.
Create detail blue prints for jigs to be build for production.
Translate REVIT (BIM) files into AutoCAD-ready files from contract architect.
Create PowerPoint presentations to introduce the flows of the conveyor belt systems.
Conduct field and sketch analysis to determine the most effective approach for plan development.

Computer drafter vs computer aided drafter skills

Common computer drafter skills

Cadd, 45%
Auto-Cad, 14%
Computer Drawings, 11%
Shop Drawings, 8%
CNC, 7%
As-Built Drawings, 6%

Common computer aided drafter skills

CAD Standards, 9%
Revit, 7%
Aided Design, 6%
CAD Drawings, 5%
Shop Drawings, 4%
Autocad Release, 4%

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Computer Drafter vs Computer Aided Drafter

Updated January 8, 2025

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