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Structural drafter vs architectural technician

The differences between structural drafters and architectural technicians 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 technician. Additionally, an architectural technician has an average salary of $83,667, 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 technician are sketch, revit, and construction drawings.

Structural drafter vs architectural technician overview

Structural DrafterArchitectural Technician
Yearly salary$48,536$83,667
Hourly rate$23.33$40.22
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs4,6859,495
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

Structural drafter vs architectural technician salary

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

Structural DrafterArchitectural Technician
Average salary$48,536$83,667
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $64,000Between $56,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyJacobs Engineering GroupGoogle
Best paying industryEnergyTechnology

Differences between structural drafter and architectural technician education

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

Structural DrafterArchitectural Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignArchitecture
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University

Structural drafter vs architectural technician demographics

Here are the differences between structural drafters' and architectural technicians' demographics:

Structural DrafterArchitectural Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 78.9% Female, 21.1%Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%
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 structural drafter and architectural technician duties and responsibilities

Structural drafter example responsibilities.

  • Create as-built AutoCAD and Revit structural drawings for existing conditions.
  • Create CNC nesting programs for wood, plastic, and graphics.
  • Create automated schedules, sections, views and plans from Revit database content.
  • Produce molding samples, analyze pressure & temperature control, CNC part programme adjustments.
  • Inspect electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, mold, insulation, damages, & conditions of the house.
  • Develop elevations with horizontal and vertical section detail drawings.
  • Show more

Architectural technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Train employees on Revit basics and provide AutoCad support.
  • Work with architects and project managers to produce 3d models and detail drawings for various types of large facilities using Revit.
  • Prepare and administer construction documents MEP and blue prints using computer assist draw software and other computer applications.
  • Edit and render high quality video animation to provide the story frame-by-frame of modeling and surroundings.

Structural drafter vs architectural technician skills

Common structural drafter skills
  • Revit, 25%
  • Shop Drawings, 11%
  • Structural Drawings, 8%
  • Elevations, 6%
  • BIM, 6%
  • Construction Drawings, 5%
Common architectural technician skills
  • Sketch, 30%
  • Revit, 23%
  • Construction Drawings, 8%
  • BIM, 5%
  • Design Development, 5%
  • Architectural Drawings, 4%

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