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The differences between drafters and computer aided drafters 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 a computer aided drafter. Additionally, a drafter has an average salary of $43,542, which is higher than the $43,520 average annual salary of a computer aided drafter.
The top three skills for a drafter include layout drawings, aided design and revit. The most important skills for a computer aided drafter are cad standards, revit, and aided design.
| Drafter | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $43,542 | $43,520 |
| Hourly rate | $20.93 | $20.92 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 3,968 | 16,907 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Associate Degree, 52% |
| 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.
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.
Drafters and computer aided drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Drafter | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Average salary | $43,542 | $43,520 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $56,000 | Between $33,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Kearny, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | National Grid plc | Johnson Controls |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between a drafter and a computer aided drafter in terms of educational background:
| Drafter | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Associate Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between drafters' and computer aided drafters' demographics:
| Drafter | Computer Aided Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.7% Female, 25.3% | Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8% |
| 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% |