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The differences between electrical drafters and electrical 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 an electrical designer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an electrical designer has an average salary of $64,930, 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 designer are revit, electrical design, and autocad electrical.
| Electrical Drafter | Electrical Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $52,027 | $64,930 |
| Hourly rate | $25.01 | $31.22 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 30,376 | 82,332 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 63% | Associate Degree, 47% |
| 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 designer designs and develops electrical circuit and system layouts for electric power distribution. The responsibilities of an electrical designer include assembling electrical panels and leading a team of document control personnel in-charged to identify and organize facility maintenance drawings. The position requires good initiative, writing, speaking, and mathematical skills to accomplish such responsibilities. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in electrical engineering, design, or a related field.
Electrical drafters and electrical designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Drafter | Electrical Designer | |
| Average salary | $52,027 | $64,930 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $66,000 | Between $47,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | Stantec | Amd |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an electrical drafter and an electrical designer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Drafter | Electrical Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 63% | Associate Degree, 47% |
| 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 designers' demographics:
| Electrical Drafter | Electrical Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |