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.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a truss designer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $29.36 an hour? That's $61,065 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 0% and produce -700 job opportunities across the U.S.
There are certain skills that many truss designers have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed technical skills, math skills and time-management skills.
When it comes to the most important skills required to be a truss designer, we found that a lot of resumes listed 18.9% of truss designers included mitek, while 16.3% of resumes included design software, and 15.4% of resumes included cad. Hard skills like these are helpful to have when it comes to performing essential job responsibilities.
When it comes to searching for a job, many search for a key term or phrase. Instead, it might be more helpful to search by industry, as you might be missing jobs that you never thought about in industries that you didn't even think offered positions related to the truss designer job title. But what industry to start with? Most truss designers actually find jobs in the construction and retail industries.
If you're interested in becoming a truss designer, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 35.7% of truss designers have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 4.5% of truss designers have master's degrees. Even though some truss designers have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a truss designer. When we researched the most common majors for a truss designer, we found that they most commonly earn associate degree degrees or bachelor's degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on truss designer resumes include high school diploma degrees or master's degree degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a truss designer. In fact, many truss designer jobs require experience in a role such as designer. Meanwhile, many truss designers also have previous career experience in roles such as draftsman or carpenter.