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The differences between drafting engineers 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 drafting engineer and a computer aided design designer. Additionally, a computer aided design designer has an average salary of $60,150, which is higher than the $50,871 average annual salary of a drafting engineer.
The top three skills for a drafting engineer include production drawings, engineering drawings and auto cad. The most important skills for a computer aided design designer are auto cad, revit, and aided design.
| Drafting Engineer | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $50,871 | $60,150 |
| Hourly rate | $24.46 | $28.92 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 8,823 | 92,503 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Drafting Engineer designs and draws the blueprints needed to bring new concepts and products to life. There are three major types of drafting positions: mechanical drafters, electrical and electronics drafters, and architectural and civil drafters.
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.
Drafting engineers and computer aided design designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Drafting Engineer | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Average salary | $50,871 | $60,150 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $71,000 | Between $40,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Union City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Huitt-Zollars | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a drafting engineer and a computer aided design designer in terms of educational background:
| Drafting Engineer | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | LeTourneau University |
Here are the differences between drafting engineers' and computer aided design designers' demographics:
| Drafting Engineer | Computer Aided Design Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% | 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% |