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The differences between detail drafters and autocad drafters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a detail drafter, becoming an autocad drafter takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a detail drafter has an average salary of $44,472, which is higher than the $41,984 average annual salary of an autocad drafter.
The top three skills for a detail drafter include shop drawings, layout drawings and assembly drawings. The most important skills for an autocad drafter are construction drawings, layout drawings, and revit.
| Detail Drafter | Autocad Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $44,472 | $41,984 |
| Hourly rate | $21.38 | $20.18 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 5,656 | 2,429 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
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.
An Autocad Drafter develops drawings and plans for the construction and manufacturing industries. They use various types of computer-aided design and drafting software.
Detail drafters and autocad drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Detail Drafter | Autocad Drafter | |
| Average salary | $44,472 | $41,984 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $59,000 | Between $31,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Modesto, CA | Garfield, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Hendrick Manufacturing | GPAC |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Government |
There are a few differences between a detail drafter and an autocad drafter in terms of educational background:
| Detail Drafter | Autocad Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | LeTourneau University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between detail drafters' and autocad drafters' demographics:
| Detail Drafter | Autocad Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% |
| 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, 3.1% 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% |