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Lead drafter vs architectural drafter

The differences between lead drafters and architectural drafters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a lead drafter and an architectural drafter. Additionally, an architectural drafter has an average salary of $49,944, which is higher than the $47,538 average annual salary of a lead drafter.

The top three skills for a lead drafter include construction drawings, autocad and engineering drawings. The most important skills for an architectural drafter are revit, construction drawings, and architectural drawings.

Lead drafter vs architectural drafter overview

Lead DrafterArchitectural Drafter
Yearly salary$47,538$49,944
Hourly rate$22.85$24.01
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs3,2667,139
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 65%Associate Degree, 45%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

Lead drafter vs architectural drafter salary

Lead drafters and architectural drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead DrafterArchitectural Drafter
Average salary$47,538$49,944
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $63,000Between $37,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-Rafael Viñoly Architects
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between lead drafter and architectural drafter education

There are a few differences between a lead drafter and an architectural drafter in terms of educational background:

Lead DrafterArchitectural Drafter
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 65%Associate Degree, 45%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignDrafting And Design
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University

Lead drafter vs architectural drafter demographics

Here are the differences between lead drafters' and architectural drafters' demographics:

Lead DrafterArchitectural Drafter
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 83.6% Female, 16.4%Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 lead drafter and architectural drafter duties and responsibilities

Lead drafter example responsibilities.

  • Lead and train a drafting team in order to transfer all hand drawn layouts to a digital copy using AutoCAD.
  • Maintain ECO's numbers and BOM's.
  • Create and revise BOM's as required per drawings and specifications.
  • Program and operate CNC routers, including maintenance and general care of the machine.
  • Design with sheet metal, aluminum, and parts to be mill by a CNC machine.
  • Provide support regarding AutoCAD operation.
  • Show more

Architectural drafter example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Prepare plumbing schematics and as-built.
  • Utilize AutoCAD 2005 and MicroStation V8.
  • Operate Microstation SE and Microstation V8.
  • Demonstrate expertise in building code, lighting, MEP.
  • Translate the client's briefs into sketch plans for client approval.
  • Show more

Lead drafter vs architectural drafter skills

Common lead drafter skills
  • Construction Drawings, 18%
  • Autocad, 18%
  • Engineering Drawings, 16%
  • Aided Design, 14%
  • Product Line, 10%
  • CAD Tech, 3%
Common architectural drafter skills
  • Revit, 28%
  • Construction Drawings, 11%
  • Architectural Drawings, 7%
  • Shop Drawings, 6%
  • Sketch, 6%
  • Building Codes, 6%

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