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Die maker vs tool specialist

The differences between die makers and tool specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a tool specialist has an average salary of $84,797, which is higher than the $50,035 average annual salary of a die maker.

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

Die maker vs tool specialist overview

Die MakerTool Specialist
Yearly salary$50,035$84,797
Hourly rate$24.06$40.77
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs7,60032,118
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age5454
Years of experience66

Die maker vs tool specialist salary

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

Die MakerTool Specialist
Average salary$50,035$84,797
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $69,000Between $62,000 And $115,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-GoPro
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between die maker and tool specialist education

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

Die MakerTool Specialist
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingBusiness
Most common college--

Die maker vs tool specialist demographics

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

Die MakerTool Specialist
Average age5454
Gender ratioMale, 96.3% Female, 3.7%Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4%
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, 2.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.4% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between die maker and tool specialist 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.
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Tool specialist example responsibilities.

  • Comply with all applicable FAA regulations.
  • Assist in training on running CNC machines.
  • Operate and set up a CNC machine.
  • Provide tool design inputs that enable process friendly windows.
  • Set many frac plugs both composite and cast iron.
  • Perform CNC programming and operation of Charmilles wire EDM and Mazak machining center.
  • Show more

Die maker vs tool specialist skills

Common die maker skills
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • Grinders, 13%
  • Jigs, 12%
  • CNC, 9%
  • Machine Tools, 7%
  • CAD, 7%
Common tool specialist skills
  • Calipers, 11%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Scaffolding, 6%
  • CMM, 6%
  • Windows, 6%

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