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The differences between electrical drafters and electrical design engineers 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 an electrical design engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an electrical design engineer has an average salary of $83,944, 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 an electrical design engineer are electrical design, revit, and electrical systems.
| Electrical Drafter | Electrical Design Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $52,027 | $83,944 |
| Hourly rate | $25.01 | $40.36 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 30,376 | 87,121 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An electrical drafter specializes in designing electrical wiring systems in coordination with engineers and architects, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include performing extensive research and analysis, drawing detailed diagrams, examining sites and available resources, and establishing technical guidelines. They may also review installation diagrams and documentation, assist technicians, and address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as an electrical drafter, it is essential to adhere to deadlines and goals, including the company's safety policies and regulations.
An electrical design engineer develops electrical systems for different applications. Electrical design engineers create system layouts and specifications. They test the systems and make some adjustments whenever necessary. The solutions they create range from component designs to large systems. The set of skills imperative for this job include good technical abilities, teamwork, motivation for extra work hours, ability to execute job under pressure, and enthusiasm. They should also be savvy in technology and innovation.
Electrical drafters and electrical design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Drafter | Electrical Design Engineer | |
| Average salary | $52,027 | $83,944 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $66,000 | Between $63,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | Stantec | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electrical drafter and an electrical design engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Drafter | Electrical Design Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electrical drafters' and electrical design engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Drafter | Electrical Design Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% |
| 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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |