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The differences between structural drafters and architectural designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a structural drafter and an architectural designer. Additionally, an architectural designer has an average salary of $59,122, which is higher than the $48,536 average annual salary of a structural drafter.
The top three skills for a structural drafter include revit, shop drawings and structural drawings. The most important skills for an architectural designer are sketch, sketchup, and BIM.
| Structural Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $48,536 | $59,122 |
| Hourly rate | $23.33 | $28.42 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 4,685 | 54,358 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A structural drafter creates technical drawings, plans, and cost estimations. They prepare guidelines and for building bridges, lodges, and manufacturing plants. They typically work for construction companies, transportation firms, or manufacturing firms. They prepare drafts, present them to clients, and complete any revisions requested.
An Architectural Designer is specialized in planning and designing structures/urban landscapes. They ensure that company policies and standards are maintained when providing services to clients.
Structural drafters and architectural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Structural Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Average salary | $48,536 | $59,122 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $64,000 | Between $45,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Professional |
There are a few differences between a structural drafter and an architectural designer in terms of educational background:
| Structural Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Architecture |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between structural drafters' and architectural designers' demographics:
| Structural Drafter | Architectural Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.9% Female, 21.1% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 6% | 6% |