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The differences between design checkers and detail drafters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a design checker and a detail drafter. Additionally, a design checker has an average salary of $75,126, which is higher than the $44,472 average annual salary of a detail drafter.
The top three skills for a design checker include GD, engineering drawings and creo. The most important skills for a detail drafter are shop drawings, layout drawings, and assembly drawings.
| Design Checker | Detail Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $75,126 | $44,472 |
| Hourly rate | $36.12 | $21.38 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 42,876 | 5,656 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 51% | Associate Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A design checker takes responsibility for the examination of engineering drawings of installations, assemblies, and parts to ensure completeness and accuracy. Design checkers review the drawings to check the application of geometric tolerances, the appropriate manufacturing details, and the best drafting practices. They are tasked to detect discrepancies or errors within the 3D design documents. It is their duty to annotate necessary changes and communicate with colleagues on how to come up with a better design.
A detail drafter specializes in developing concepts and drafts for different projects. Although their duties may vary upon their industry or company of employment, it usually entails identifying and understanding the clients' needs and preferences, conducting research and analyses, drawing sketches and outlines, presenting drafts for client approval, and performing revisions as necessary. They must also comply with deadlines and budgets, coordinate with team members, and train new drafters. Moreover, a detail drafter must be proactive at dealing with issues and must adhere to the industry standards and regulations.
Design checkers and detail drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Checker | Detail Drafter | |
| Average salary | $75,126 | $44,472 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $111,000 | Between $33,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Modesto, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Hendrick Manufacturing |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a design checker and a detail drafter in terms of educational background:
| Design Checker | Detail Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 51% | Associate Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | LeTourneau University | LeTourneau University |
Here are the differences between design checkers' and detail drafters' demographics:
| Design Checker | Detail Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9% | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 6% | 6% |