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The differences between drafting engineers and detail drafters 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 detail drafter. Additionally, a drafting engineer has an average salary of $50,871, which is higher than the $44,472 average annual salary of a detail drafter.
The top three skills for a drafting engineer include production drawings, engineering drawings and auto cad. The most important skills for a detail drafter are shop drawings, layout drawings, and assembly drawings.
| Drafting Engineer | Detail Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $50,871 | $44,472 |
| Hourly rate | $24.46 | $21.38 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 8,823 | 5,656 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 64% |
| 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 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.
Drafting engineers and detail drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Drafting Engineer | Detail Drafter | |
| Average salary | $50,871 | $44,472 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $71,000 | Between $33,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Union City, CA | Modesto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Huitt-Zollars | Hendrick Manufacturing |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a drafting engineer and a detail drafter in terms of educational background:
| Drafting Engineer | Detail Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | LeTourneau University |
Here are the differences between drafting engineers' and detail drafters' demographics:
| Drafting Engineer | Detail Drafter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% |
| 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% |