Tool design drafter vs computer aided design designer

The differences between tool design drafters and computer aided design designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a tool design drafter and a computer aided design designer. Additionally, a tool design drafter has an average salary of $60,965, which is higher than the $60,150 average annual salary of a computer aided design designer.

The top three skills for a tool design drafter include CAD, engineering drawings and autocad. The most important skills for a computer aided design designer are auto cad, revit, and aided design.

Tool design drafter vs computer aided design designer overview

	Tool Design Drafter	Computer Aided Design Designer
Yearly salary	$60,965	$60,150
Hourly rate	$29.31	$28.92
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	45,672	92,503
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 70%	Associate Degree, 45%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Tool design drafter vs computer aided design designer salary

Tool design drafters and computer aided design designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tool Design Drafter	Computer Aided Design Designer
Average salary	$60,965	$60,150
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $84,000	Between $40,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Meta
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between tool design drafter and computer aided design designer education

There are a few differences between a tool design drafter and a computer aided design designer in terms of educational background:

	Tool Design Drafter	Computer Aided Design Designer
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 70%	Associate Degree, 45%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Drafting And Design
Most common college	Northwestern University	LeTourneau University

Tool design drafter vs computer aided design designer demographics

Here are the differences between tool design drafters' and computer aided design designers' demographics:

	Tool Design Drafter	Computer Aided Design Designer
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%	Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between tool design drafter and computer aided design designer duties and responsibilities

Tool design drafter example responsibilities.

Manage the ECN process by assigning the highest priority requests through coordination between engineering staff and drafting personnel.
Transfer data electronically and manipulate product data files in Unigraphics NX9.
Assist engineers with ECOs and ECRs occasionally.
Use ACAD to create/modify installation diagrams for manufacturing.

Computer aided design designer example responsibilities.

Manage the ECN process by assigning the highest priority requests through coordination between engineering staff and drafting personnel.
Manage and supervise other draftsmen.
Develop a product design to solve the problem of height adjustment of a chair using PTC CreO Direct/Elements & parametric.
Used primiarly pro-e with some autocad.
Work with both Intralink and Windchill.
Create blueprints/drawings of unique grille designs for glass windows using computer program

Tool design drafter vs computer aided design designer skills

Common tool design drafter skills

CAD, 51%
Engineering Drawings, 39%
Autocad, 10%

Common computer aided design designer skills

Auto CAD, 8%
Revit, 8%
Aided Design, 7%
Construction Drawings, 4%
Engineering Drawings, 4%
Design Drawings, 4%

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Tool Design Drafter
Tool Design Drafter vs Computer Aided Design Designer

Updated January 8, 2025

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