Mold maker vs die maker

The differences between mold makers and die makers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a mold maker and a die maker. Additionally, a die maker has an average salary of $50,035, which is higher than the $48,841 average annual salary of a mold maker.

The top three skills for a mold maker include grinders, plastic injection molds and cnc machines. The most important skills for a die maker are hand tools, grinders, and jigs.

Mold maker vs die maker overview

	Mold Maker	Die Maker
Yearly salary	$48,841	$50,035
Hourly rate	$23.48	$24.06
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	13,896	7,600
Job satisfaction	3	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	54	54
Years of experience	6	6

Mold maker vs die maker salary

Mold makers and die makers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mold Maker	Die Maker
Average salary	$48,841	$50,035
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $68,000	Between $36,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Monterey, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Vicor	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between mold maker and die maker education

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

	Mold Maker	Die Maker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Mold maker vs die maker demographics

Here are the differences between mold makers' and die makers' demographics:

	Mold Maker	Die Maker
Average age	54	54
Gender ratio	Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%	Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black 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%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between mold maker and die maker duties and responsibilities

Mold maker example responsibilities.

Utilize Creo to create accurate part models including mold splits, BOM's and assemblies.
Have experience repairing molds including mig welding aluminum.
Convert part drawings to AutoCad.
Train engineers on use of SolidWorks.
Adher to safety standards and ISO requirements.
Lead mold machinist utilizing Haas vertical milling machines.

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.

Mold maker vs die maker skills

Common mold maker skills

Grinders, 13%
Plastic Injection Molds, 8%
CNC Machines, 8%
Math, 5%
Jigs, 5%
Hand Tools, 5%

Common die maker skills

Hand Tools, 14%
Grinders, 13%
Jigs, 12%
CNC, 9%
Machine Tools, 7%
CAD, 7%