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The differences between detail drafters and computer aided 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 a computer aided drafter takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a detail drafter has an average salary of $44,472, which is higher than the $43,520 average annual salary of a computer aided 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 drafter are cad standards, revit, and aided design.
| Detail Drafter | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $44,472 | $43,520 |
| Hourly rate | $21.38 | $20.92 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 5,656 | 16,907 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 64% | Associate Degree, 52% |
| 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.
A computer-aided drafter is responsible for creating designs, usually for industrial manufacturing and construction projects, using computer-aided software systems and applications. Computer-aided drafters should have excellent command in programming languages and navigating computer system codes to develop a technical output, following the clients' specifications and business requirements. They also work closely with design engineers to discuss dimensions, costs, materials, and production processes. A computer-aided drafter must be highly communicative and organizational, incorporating all the schematics, developing operational manuals, and performing draft adjustment as needed.
Detail drafters and computer aided drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Detail Drafter | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Average salary | $44,472 | $43,520 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $59,000 | Between $33,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Modesto, CA | Kearny, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Hendrick Manufacturing | Johnson Controls |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Professional |
There are a few differences between a detail drafter and a computer aided drafter in terms of educational background:
| Detail Drafter | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 64% | Associate Degree, 52% |
| 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 computer aided drafters' demographics:
| Detail Drafter | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% | Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8% |
| 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% |