Tool design drafter vs tool designer

The differences between tool design drafters and tool 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 tool design drafter, becoming a tool designer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a tool designer has an average salary of $64,763, which is higher than the $60,965 average annual salary of a tool design drafter.

The top three skills for a tool design drafter include CAD, engineering drawings and autocad. The most important skills for a tool designer are jigs, assembly fixtures, and aerospace.

Tool design drafter vs tool designer overview

	Tool Design Drafter	Tool Designer
Yearly salary	$60,965	$64,763
Hourly rate	$29.31	$31.14
Growth rate	-3%	1%
Number of jobs	45,672	51,666
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 70%	Associate Degree, 48%
Average age	45	54
Years of experience	4	6

Tool design drafter vs tool designer salary

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

	Tool Design Drafter	Tool Designer
Average salary	$60,965	$64,763
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $84,000	Between $47,000 And $87,000
Highest paying City	-	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Entegris
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between tool design drafter and tool designer education

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

	Tool Design Drafter	Tool Designer
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 70%	Associate Degree, 48%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Drafting And Design
Most common college	Northwestern University	-

Tool design drafter vs tool designer demographics

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

	Tool Design Drafter	Tool Designer
Average age	45	54
Gender ratio	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
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, 2.5% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	6%	3%

Differences between tool design drafter and tool 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.

Tool designer example responsibilities.

Manage customer contacts, lead, design, sketch and model Saab environmental test fixtures using Unigraphics V18.
Tune and correct extrusion tools to achieve dimensional tolerances, finish and function of products to internal and external customer specifications.
Used drill press, surface grinders, vertical mills, lathes, & NC control mills.
Train on Unigraphics version NX 7.5 Mold layout and design for plastic injection molds to make automotive lighting components.
Design automated production assembly jigs and fixtures for medical devices.
Design transfer, progressive, and blank dies for niche market OEM's.

Tool design drafter vs tool designer skills

Common tool design drafter skills

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

Common tool designer skills

Jigs, 10%
Assembly Fixtures, 8%
Aerospace, 6%
CNC, 5%
NX, 5%
GD, 4%