Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between detail drafters and computer aided design designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a detail drafter and a computer aided design designer. Additionally, a computer aided design designer has an average salary of $60,150, which is higher than the $44,472 average annual salary of a detail drafter.
The top three skills for a detail drafter include shop drawings, layout drawings and assembly drawings. The most important skills for a computer aided design designer are auto cad, revit, and aided design.
| Detail Drafter | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $44,472 | $60,150 |
| Hourly rate | $21.38 | $28.92 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 5,656 | 92,503 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 64% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Detail drafters and computer aided design designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Detail Drafter | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Average salary | $44,472 | $60,150 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $59,000 | Between $40,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Hendrick Manufacturing | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a detail drafter and a computer aided design designer in terms of educational background:
| Detail Drafter | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 64% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | LeTourneau University | LeTourneau University |
Here are the differences between detail drafters' and computer aided design designers' demographics:
| Detail Drafter | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% | Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4% |
| 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% |