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The differences between contract designers and computer aided design designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a contract designer, becoming a computer aided design designer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a computer aided design designer has an average salary of $60,150, which is higher than the $58,458 average annual salary of a contract designer.
The top three skills for a contract designer include assembly drawings, sketch and web banners. The most important skills for a computer aided design designer are auto cad, revit, and aided design.
| Contract Designer | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $58,458 | $60,150 |
| Hourly rate | $28.10 | $28.92 |
| Growth rate | 2% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 51,980 | 92,503 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
The primary duty of a Contract Designer is to deliver creative strategies and design concepts that meet the objectives of the company's project. They work with members of the sales team and/or marketing designers.
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.
Contract designers and computer aided design designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Contract Designer | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Average salary | $58,458 | $60,150 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $86,000 | Between $40,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a contract designer and a computer aided design designer in terms of educational background:
| Contract Designer | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | LeTourneau University |
Here are the differences between contract designers' and computer aided design designers' demographics:
| Contract Designer | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4% | Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 10.4% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 5% | 6% |