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The differences between drafting engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a drafting engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, 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 an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Drafting Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $50,871 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $24.46 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 8,823 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Drafting engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Drafting Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $50,871 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $71,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Union City, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Huitt-Zollars | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a drafting engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Drafting Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between drafting engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Drafting Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |