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Truss designer vs architectural designer

The differences between truss designers and architectural designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a truss designer and an architectural designer. Additionally, an architectural designer has an average salary of $59,122, which is higher than the $50,866 average annual salary of a truss designer.

The top three skills for a truss designer include mitek, design software and auto cad. The most important skills for an architectural designer are sketch, sketchup, and BIM.

Truss designer vs architectural designer overview

Truss DesignerArchitectural Designer
Yearly salary$50,866$59,122
Hourly rate$24.45$28.42
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs45,42454,358
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a truss designer do?

A truss designer's major responsibility is to design layouts for floors and roofs. They work with architects and engineers to ensure the feasibility of new designs. They also develop schematics through computer-aided design (CAD) software. They are required to work on layouts for roofs and flooring for both residential and commercial buildings.

What does an architectural designer do?

An Architectural Designer is specialized in planning and designing structures/urban landscapes. They ensure that company policies and standards are maintained when providing services to clients.

Truss designer vs architectural designer salary

Truss designers and architectural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Truss DesignerArchitectural Designer
Average salary$50,866$59,122
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $70,000Between $45,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between truss designer and architectural designer education

There are a few differences between a truss designer and an architectural designer in terms of educational background:

Truss DesignerArchitectural Designer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignArchitecture
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Truss designer vs architectural designer demographics

Here are the differences between truss designers' and architectural designers' demographics:

Truss DesignerArchitectural Designer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 85.8% Female, 14.2%Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
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 truss designer and architectural designer duties and responsibilities

Truss designer example 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.
  • Program and operate CNC Emco and CNC Hurco fabrication machinery.
  • Research and purchase materials require for project completion from BOM take-off.
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Architectural designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage in- house projects and AutoCAD drawings.
  • Manage design and coordinate construction of grind up, interior finish, conversions and remodel projects.
  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Submit drawings to OSHPD for approval.
  • Submit & review OSHPD back check comments.
  • Participate in sustainable practices for leer certified projects.
  • Show more

Truss designer vs architectural designer skills

Common truss designer skills
  • Mitek, 20%
  • Design Software, 17%
  • Auto CAD, 16%
  • Layout Design, 13%
  • Roof Trusses, 6%
  • Engineering Software, 4%
Common architectural designer skills
  • Sketch, 15%
  • SketchUp, 7%
  • BIM, 6%
  • Architectural Design, 6%
  • Building Codes, 5%
  • Construction Drawings, 4%

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