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The differences between drafters and architectural designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a drafter and an architectural designer. Additionally, an architectural designer has an average salary of $59,122, which is higher than the $43,542 average annual salary of a drafter.
The top three skills for a drafter include layout drawings, aided design and revit. The most important skills for an architectural designer are sketch, sketchup, and BIM.
| Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $43,542 | $59,122 |
| Hourly rate | $20.93 | $28.42 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 3,968 | 54,358 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
The duties of a drafter vary on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a drafter specializes in creating a three-dimensional model for software and other applications upon gathering details and specifications from designers and other personnel. A drafter usually works with a team and is supervised by a manager or a more experienced colleague. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with the team involved, all while adhering to the policies and standards of the company.
An Architectural Designer is specialized in planning and designing structures/urban landscapes. They ensure that company policies and standards are maintained when providing services to clients.
Drafters and architectural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Average salary | $43,542 | $59,122 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $56,000 | Between $45,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Vermont |
| Best paying company | National Grid plc | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between a drafter and an architectural designer in terms of educational background:
| Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Architecture |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between drafters' and architectural designers' demographics:
| Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.7% Female, 25.3% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |