How To Become A Truss Designer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a truss designer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

A truss designer creates designs and layouts for truss systems for residential and commercial properties. They collaborate with the construction team, engineers, and architects to verify the suitability and viability of the designs concerning the project goals and deadlines.

The main tools to get their job done are computer-aided design (CAD) software and other computer applications. Using their mathematical skills, they settle measurements and proper placements of the trusses. They report the development in their designs, participate in the procurement of materials, and perform clerical duties such as registering blueprints. Generally, they spend most of their work hours in the office, but sometimes they need to visit the construction sites.

An aspiring truss designer must have an associate or a bachelor's degree in drafting and design, mechanical engineering, or other business-related fields. In-depth knowledge and experience in AutoCAD, design applications, and architectural design grant candidates a considerable advantage to grab this position. On average, a truss designer makes $23.34 an hour, amounting to an annual salary of $48,553.

ScoreTruss DesignerUS Average

Salary

4.0

Avg. Salary $50,866

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.3

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.70%

Asian 7.02%

Black or African American 3.09%

Hispanic or Latino 11.66%

Unknown 5.20%

White 72.33%

Gender

female 14.22%

male 85.78%

Age - 45

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45

Stress level

4.3

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a truss designer

Explore truss designer education requirements

Most common truss designer degrees

Associate

45.7 %

Bachelor's

38.8 %

High School Diploma

9.7 %

Start to develop specific truss designer skills

Skills	Percentages
Mitek	20.35%
Design Software	16.59%
Auto CAD	16.10%
Layout Design	13.23%
Roof Trusses	6.30%

Complete relevant truss designer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 4-10 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New truss designers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a truss designer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real truss designer resumes.

Research truss designer duties and responsibilities

Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
Provide engineering drawings, material estimates, GIS.
Develop software creativity skills designing commercial and residential trusses using MiTek 3D truss design software.
Set up and operate both manual and CNC machining equipment.

Prepare your truss designer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your truss designer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a truss designer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable truss designer resume templates

Build a professional truss designer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your truss designer resume.