Design drafter vs computer draftsman mechanical

The differences between design drafters and computer draftsman mechanicals 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 drafter and a computer draftsman mechanical. Additionally, a computer draftsman mechanical has an average salary of $58,364, which is higher than the $50,021 average annual salary of a design drafter.

The top three skills for a design drafter include layout drawings, auto cad and engineering drawings. The most important skills for a computer draftsman mechanical are assembly drawings, cadd, and auto cad.

Design drafter vs computer draftsman mechanical overview

	Design Drafter	Computer Draftsman Mechanical
Yearly salary	$50,021	$58,364
Hourly rate	$24.05	$28.06
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	39,125	31,076
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 56%	Associate Degree, 54%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Design drafter vs computer draftsman mechanical salary

Design drafters and computer draftsman mechanicals have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Design Drafter	Computer Draftsman Mechanical
Average salary	$50,021	$58,364
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $67,000	Between $36,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City	Cupertino, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Apple	-
Best paying industry	Finance	-

Differences between design drafter and computer draftsman mechanical education

There are a few differences between a design drafter and a computer draftsman mechanical in terms of educational background:

	Design Drafter	Computer Draftsman Mechanical
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 56%	Associate Degree, 54%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Drafting And Design
Most common college	LeTourneau University	LeTourneau University

Design drafter vs computer draftsman mechanical demographics

Here are the differences between design drafters' and computer draftsman mechanicals' demographics:

	Design Drafter	Computer Draftsman Mechanical
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%	Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%
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%

Differences between design drafter and computer draftsman mechanical duties and responsibilities

Design drafter example responsibilities.

Manage the ECN process by assigning the highest priority requests through coordination between engineering staff and drafting personnel.
Use Windchill for file management.
Develop pattern REVIT families for retail fixture manufactures.
Assist with implementation of Revit as main drawing application.
Draft and design mechanical and electrical windows for aircraft and yachts.
Work on plant location to sketch isometric drawings used for pressure analysis.

Computer draftsman mechanical example responsibilities.

Manage and supervise other draftsmen.
Set up and run CNC equipment in production of custom templates for precision tooling grinders.
Maintain and operate surveying equipment, CADD computer, and Microstation equipment creating accurate and detail designs.
Work closely with resident CNC operators and sheet metal fabricators to ensure reliable and satisfactory part manufacture.
Generate all associate documentation and production assembly files, providing comprehensive design results per ISO company standards.

Design drafter vs computer draftsman mechanical skills

Common design drafter skills

Layout Drawings, 10%
Auto CAD, 6%
Engineering Drawings, 5%
Aided Design, 5%
Assembly Drawings, 5%
Revit, 4%

Common computer draftsman mechanical skills

Assembly Drawings, 41%
Cadd, 21%
Auto CAD, 14%
Design Layouts, 7%
Design Drawings, 3%
Solidworks, 2%

Design Drafter vs. similar jobs

Design Drafter related careers

Design Drafter related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Architecture and Engineering Industry
Design Drafter
Design Drafter vs Computer Draftsman Mechanical

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse architecture and engineering jobs