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The differences between electrical drafters and structural 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 structural designer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a structural designer has an average salary of $63,273, 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 structural designer are revit, structural design, and BIM.
| Electrical Drafter | Structural Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $52,027 | $63,273 |
| Hourly rate | $25.01 | $30.42 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 30,376 | 51,432 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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.
A Structural Designer designs, develops, and supervises the construction of new buildings and bridges, or extensions to existing properties or other structures. They review and update construction drawings as well as communicate project problems and flaws to managers.
Electrical drafters and structural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Drafter | Structural Designer | |
| Average salary | $52,027 | $63,273 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $66,000 | Between $47,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | Stantec | Tesla |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Construction |
There are a few differences between an electrical drafter and a structural designer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Drafter | Structural Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between electrical drafters' and structural designers' demographics:
| Electrical Drafter | Structural Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% | Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6% |
| 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, 4.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 12.8% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |