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The differences between drafting technicians and civil engineering technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 8-10 years to become both a drafting technician and a civil engineering technician. Additionally, a civil engineering technician has an average salary of $53,829, which is higher than the $45,318 average annual salary of a drafting technician.
The top three skills for a drafting technician include engineering drawings, solidworks and revit. The most important skills for a civil engineering technician are civil 3d, asphalt, and construction sites.
| Drafting Technician | Civil Engineering Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $45,318 | $53,829 |
| Hourly rate | $21.79 | $25.88 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 32,427 | 75,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 51% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 10 |
A Drafting Technician prepares and supervises the preparation of engineering schematics and drawings, charts, graphs, maps, and illustrations. They work closely with engineers, architects, and technologists.
A civil engineering technician assists civil engineers in planning, designing, and constructing bridges, highways, and other infrastructure projects. Civil engineering technicians typically work under the leadership of licensed civil engineers. They focus on construction projects for industrial, development, residential, and commercial infrastructure. It is imperative for them to have a better understanding and work with systems associated with construction projects. They should be equipped with knowledge of engineering, construction, and reading skills.
Drafting technicians and civil engineering technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Drafting Technician | Civil Engineering Technician | |
| Average salary | $45,318 | $53,829 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $65,000 | Between $36,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | City of Detroit | City of Los Angeles |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Professional |
There are a few differences between a drafting technician and a civil engineering technician in terms of educational background:
| Drafting Technician | Civil Engineering Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 51% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between drafting technicians' and civil engineering technicians' demographics:
| Drafting Technician | Civil Engineering Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |