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Electrical drafter vs draftsman/designer

The differences between electrical drafters and draftsman/designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an electrical drafter, becoming a draftsman/designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a draftsman/designer has an average salary of $52,529, which is higher than the $52,027 average annual salary of an electrical drafter.

The top three skills for an electrical drafter include autocad electrical, revit and design software. The most important skills for a draftsman/designer are design layouts, solidworks, and shop drawings.

Electrical drafter vs draftsman/designer overview

Electrical DrafterDraftsman/Designer
Yearly salary$52,027$52,529
Hourly rate$25.01$25.25
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs30,37647,341
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 63%Associate Degree, 51%
Average age4545
Years of experience412

Electrical drafter vs draftsman/designer salary

Electrical drafters and draftsman/designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electrical DrafterDraftsman/Designer
Average salary$52,027$52,529
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $66,000Between $30,000 And $89,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateDelawareNew Jersey
Best paying companyStantecTalentBurst
Best paying industryUtilitiesTechnology

Differences between electrical drafter and draftsman/designer education

There are a few differences between an electrical drafter and a draftsman/designer in terms of educational background:

Electrical DrafterDraftsman/Designer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 63%Associate Degree, 51%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignDrafting And Design
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University

Electrical drafter vs draftsman/designer demographics

Here are the differences between electrical drafters' and draftsman/designers' demographics:

Electrical DrafterDraftsman/Designer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 72.8% Female, 27.2%Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 3.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between electrical drafter and draftsman/designer duties and responsibilities

Electrical drafter example responsibilities.

  • Manage database for PDF drawings and other electronic files.
  • Create details of conduit racks to be produce using AutoCAD MEP and REVIT MEPCreate installation diagrams to be used for field installation
  • Prepare and maintain BIM models.
  • Run collision reports using NavisWorks to coordinate with 3D steel, HVAC, piping, fire protection and plumbing models.
  • Used AutoCAD to create and modify, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection systems in various commercial buildings.
  • Make sure files are then run on the CNC machine and parts are cut and send to fabricators to build project.
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Draftsman/designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and supervise other draftsmen.
  • Assist with structural steel detailing, machine design, CNC graphics and ceramics machine design projects.
  • Detail preliminary design drawings to create BOM's, production use shop layouts, and specific details.
  • Travele to various work sites to dimension and sketch details of the projects.
  • Develop and maintain current Revit templates for consistency and overall visual quality of projects.
  • Design and draft building components from red lines create by MEP engineers with revit software.
  • Show more

Electrical drafter vs draftsman/designer skills

Common electrical drafter skills
  • Autocad Electrical, 13%
  • Revit, 9%
  • Design Software, 8%
  • Aided Design, 6%
  • Panel Layouts, 5%
  • MEP, 4%
Common draftsman/designer skills
  • Design Layouts, 16%
  • Solidworks, 10%
  • Shop Drawings, 5%
  • R, 4%
  • HVAC, 4%
  • Customer Specifications, 3%

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