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Die maker vs tool builder

The differences between die makers and tool builders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a die maker and a tool builder. Additionally, a die maker has an average salary of $50,035, which is higher than the $44,285 average annual salary of a tool builder.

The top three skills for a die maker include hand tools, grinders and jigs. The most important skills for a tool builder are jigs, hand tools, and calipers.

Die maker vs tool builder overview

Die MakerTool Builder
Yearly salary$50,035$44,285
Hourly rate$24.06$21.29
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs7,60010,843
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 33%
Average age5454
Years of experience66

Die maker vs tool builder salary

Die makers and tool builders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Die MakerTool Builder
Average salary$50,035$44,285
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $69,000Between $33,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between die maker and tool builder education

There are a few differences between a die maker and a tool builder in terms of educational background:

Die MakerTool Builder
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 33%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingBusiness
Most common college--

Die maker vs tool builder demographics

Here are the differences between die makers' and tool builders' demographics:

Die MakerTool Builder
Average age5454
Gender ratioMale, 96.3% Female, 3.7%Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between die maker and tool builder duties and responsibilities

Die maker example responsibilities.

  • Operate manual lathes, large and small boring mills, drill presses, CNC machines.
  • Operate and set-up machines such as drill press, lathe, milling machines and surface grinders, etc.
  • Operate forklifts and overhead cranes.
  • Specialize in building of cam stations.
  • Read micrometers, calipers, scales, indicators etc.
  • Maintain proficiency standard in MIG welding and acquire fresh proficiency in TIG procedures.
  • Show more

Tool builder example responsibilities.

  • Contract machinist Fanuc lathes machining large turbines for use in power generation for Mitsubishi-Hitachi in Savannah Ga.
  • Fabricate composite and aluminum full validating fixtures for interior and exterior vehicle build.

Die maker vs tool builder skills

Common die maker skills
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • Grinders, 13%
  • Jigs, 12%
  • CNC, 9%
  • Machine Tools, 7%
  • CAD, 7%
Common tool builder skills
  • Jigs, 16%
  • Hand Tools, 12%
  • Calipers, 11%
  • Grinders, 11%
  • Aerospace, 5%
  • Machine Shop, 4%

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