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Residential designer vs architectural designer

The differences between residential designers and architectural designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a residential designer, becoming an architectural designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an architectural designer has an average salary of $59,122, which is higher than the $58,162 average annual salary of a residential designer.

The top three skills for a residential designer include CAD, construction drawings and design services. The most important skills for an architectural designer are sketch, sketchup, and BIM.

Residential designer vs architectural designer overview

Residential DesignerArchitectural Designer
Yearly salary$58,162$59,122
Hourly rate$27.96$28.42
Growth rate1%-3%
Number of jobs53,50754,358
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4245
Years of experience412

Residential designer vs architectural designer salary

Residential designers and architectural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Residential DesignerArchitectural Designer
Average salary$58,162$59,122
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $90,000Between $45,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between residential designer and architectural designer education

There are a few differences between a residential designer and an architectural designer in terms of educational background:

Residential DesignerArchitectural Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorArchitectureArchitecture
Most common collegeCornell UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Residential designer vs architectural designer demographics

Here are the differences between residential designers' and architectural designers' demographics:

Residential DesignerArchitectural Designer
Average age4245
Gender ratioMale, 65.4% Female, 34.6%Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%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 Percentage23%6%

Differences between residential designer and architectural designer duties and responsibilities

Residential designer example responsibilities.

  • Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.
  • Modify AutoCAD construction documents and create new Revit construction documents of residential designs for a large variety of clients.
  • Develop original concepts from thumbnail sketch to finish product.
  • Design, modele and render graphically intensive exteriors and interior environments and animations utilizing the latest in visualization technology.
  • Monitor orders using the retail point of sale (POS) system.

Architectural designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage in- house projects and AutoCAD drawings.
  • Manage design and coordinate construction of grind up, interior finish, conversions and remodel projects.
  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Submit drawings to OSHPD for approval.
  • Submit & review OSHPD back check comments.
  • Participate in sustainable practices for leer certified projects.
  • Show more

Residential designer vs architectural designer skills

Common residential designer skills
  • CAD, 22%
  • Construction Drawings, 22%
  • Design Services, 12%
  • Revit, 11%
  • Sketch, 7%
  • Design Concepts, 4%
Common architectural designer skills
  • Sketch, 15%
  • SketchUp, 7%
  • BIM, 6%
  • Architectural Design, 6%
  • Building Codes, 5%
  • Construction Drawings, 4%

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