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Truss designer vs autocad drafter

The differences between truss designers and autocad drafters 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 autocad drafter. Additionally, a truss designer has an average salary of $50,866, which is higher than the $41,984 average annual salary of an autocad drafter.

The top three skills for a truss designer include mitek, design software and auto cad. The most important skills for an autocad drafter are construction drawings, layout drawings, and revit.

Truss designer vs autocad drafter overview

Truss DesignerAutocad Drafter
Yearly salary$50,866$41,984
Hourly rate$24.45$20.18
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs45,4242,429
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
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 autocad drafter do?

An Autocad Drafter develops drawings and plans for the construction and manufacturing industries. They use various types of computer-aided design and drafting software.

Truss designer vs autocad drafter salary

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

Truss DesignerAutocad Drafter
Average salary$50,866$41,984
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $70,000Between $31,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City-Garfield, NJ
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-GPAC
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between truss designer and autocad drafter education

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

Truss DesignerAutocad Drafter
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignDrafting And Design
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University

Truss designer vs autocad drafter demographics

Here are the differences between truss designers' and autocad drafters' demographics:

Truss DesignerAutocad Drafter
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 85.8% Female, 14.2%Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
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 autocad drafter 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.
  • Show more

Autocad drafter example responsibilities.

  • Update mechanical drawings per engineering change orders using AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
  • Create as-built drawings for security systems using AutoCAD
  • Produce complete architectural drawings for several residential projects, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing construction documents.
  • Create and maintain BOM for each job design
  • Used GIS mapping coordinates systems to ensure point accuracy.
  • Create designs consisting of fire alarm systems using AutoCAD MEP.
  • Show more

Truss designer vs autocad drafter skills

Common truss designer skills
  • Mitek, 20%
  • Design Software, 17%
  • Auto CAD, 16%
  • Layout Design, 13%
  • Roof Trusses, 6%
  • Engineering Software, 4%
Common autocad drafter skills
  • Construction Drawings, 12%
  • Layout Drawings, 8%
  • Revit, 8%
  • Shop Drawings, 7%
  • GIS, 5%
  • Auto CAD, 5%

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