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Design checker vs drafting engineer

The differences between design checkers and drafting engineers 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 drafting engineer. Additionally, a design checker has an average salary of $75,126, which is higher than the $50,871 average annual salary of a drafting engineer.

The top three skills for a design checker include GD, engineering drawings and creo. The most important skills for a drafting engineer are production drawings, engineering drawings, and auto cad.

Design checker vs drafting engineer overview

Design CheckerDrafting Engineer
Yearly salary$75,126$50,871
Hourly rate$36.12$24.46
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs42,8768,823
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Associate Degree, 45%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

What does a design checker do?

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.

What does a drafting engineer do?

A Drafting Engineer designs and draws the blueprints needed to bring new concepts and products to life. There are three major types of drafting positions: mechanical drafters, electrical and electronics drafters, and architectural and civil drafters.

Design checker vs drafting engineer salary

Design checkers and drafting engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Design CheckerDrafting Engineer
Average salary$75,126$50,871
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $111,000Between $36,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Union City, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Huitt-Zollars
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between design checker and drafting engineer education

There are a few differences between a design checker and a drafting engineer in terms of educational background:

Design CheckerDrafting Engineer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Associate Degree, 45%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignDrafting And Design
Most common collegeLeTourneau UniversityNorthwestern University

Design checker vs drafting engineer demographics

Here are the differences between design checkers' and drafting engineers' demographics:

Design CheckerDrafting Engineer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 92.1% Female, 7.9%Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between design checker and drafting engineer duties and responsibilities

Design checker example responsibilities.

  • Manage and execute all aspects of tool design processes, development along with the build follow-up and delivery sign-off with customers.
  • Develop custom macros for SolidWorks to automate many redundant processes.
  • Verify PCB master drawing, schematics, and assembly drawings for accuracy and completeness.
  • Work with ASME, ANSI, JIS and PED standards.
  • Publish DRM per ASME and ANSI guidelines.
  • Co-Authore PCB fabrication specifications for PCB suppliers for all in house designs.
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Drafting engineer example responsibilities.

  • Install and test PLC in client own equipment on site - solve some logical and hardware issues to accomplish goal
  • Add ECO's revision notations.
  • Issue bill of material (BOM) for assemble parts.
  • Set up first runs for new parts and troubleshot new part CNC programs.
  • Coordinate with various GIS /FIS professionals to resolve field changes and/or field-to-map discrepancies.
  • Select as part of BCA evaluation team to implement CATIA for engineering digital design.
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Design checker vs drafting engineer skills

Common design checker skills
  • GD, 11%
  • Engineering Drawings, 10%
  • Creo, 10%
  • Aided Design, 7%
  • Engineering Design, 6%
  • Solidworks, 5%
Common drafting engineer skills
  • Production Drawings, 6%
  • Engineering Drawings, 6%
  • Auto CAD, 5%
  • As-Built Drawings, 5%
  • Shop Drawings, 5%
  • Architectural Drawings, 5%

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