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Plumbing drafter vs drafting engineer

The differences between plumbing drafters and drafting engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a plumbing drafter and a drafting engineer. Additionally, a plumbing drafter has an average salary of $51,774, which is higher than the $50,871 average annual salary of a drafting engineer.

The top three skills for a plumbing drafter include plumbing, HVAC and revit. The most important skills for a drafting engineer are production drawings, engineering drawings, and auto cad.

Plumbing drafter vs drafting engineer overview

Plumbing DrafterDrafting Engineer
Yearly salary$51,774$50,871
Hourly rate$24.89$24.46
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs3,2278,823
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 74%Associate Degree, 45%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

Plumbing drafter vs drafting engineer salary

Plumbing drafters and drafting engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Plumbing DrafterDrafting Engineer
Average salary$51,774$50,871
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $69,000Between $36,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Union City, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Huitt-Zollars
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between plumbing drafter and drafting engineer education

There are a few differences between a plumbing drafter and a drafting engineer in terms of educational background:

Plumbing DrafterDrafting Engineer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 74%Associate Degree, 45%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignDrafting And Design
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Plumbing drafter vs drafting engineer demographics

Here are the differences between plumbing drafters' and drafting engineers' demographics:

Plumbing DrafterDrafting Engineer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 82.9% Female, 17.1%Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0%
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, 3.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 73.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between plumbing drafter and drafting engineer duties and responsibilities

Plumbing drafter example responsibilities.

  • Draft drawings on computer of the HVAC.
  • Create all require drawings necessary to the complete construction installation of the plumbing system in commercial buildings new and remodels.
  • Complete dimensional documentation, BOM, structural frame welding and assembly documentation.
  • Input bearings and points using LDD software.

Drafting engineer example responsibilities.

  • Install and test PLC in client own equipment on site - solve some logical and hardware issues to accomplish goal
  • Add ECO's revision notations.
  • Issue bill of material (BOM) for assemble parts.
  • Set up first runs for new parts and troubleshot new part CNC programs.
  • Coordinate with various GIS /FIS professionals to resolve field changes and/or field-to-map discrepancies.
  • Select as part of BCA evaluation team to implement CATIA for engineering digital design.
  • Show more

Plumbing drafter vs drafting engineer skills

Common plumbing drafter skills
  • Plumbing, 43%
  • HVAC, 21%
  • Revit, 19%
  • Engineering Drawings, 14%
  • Fire Protection, 3%
Common drafting engineer skills
  • Production Drawings, 6%
  • Engineering Drawings, 6%
  • Auto CAD, 5%
  • As-Built Drawings, 5%
  • Shop Drawings, 5%
  • Architectural Drawings, 5%

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