Mold maker vs tool builder

The differences between mold 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 mold maker and a tool builder. Additionally, a mold maker has an average salary of $48,841, which is higher than the $44,285 average annual salary of a tool builder.

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

Mold maker vs tool builder overview

	Mold Maker	Tool Builder
Yearly salary	$48,841	$44,285
Hourly rate	$23.48	$21.29
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	13,896	10,843
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 tool builder salary

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

	Mold Maker	Tool Builder
Average salary	$48,841	$44,285
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $68,000	Between $33,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	Monterey, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Vicor	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between mold maker and tool builder education

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

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

Mold maker vs tool builder demographics

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

	Mold Maker	Tool Builder
Average age	54	54
Gender ratio	Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%	Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1%
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, 2.5% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between mold maker and tool builder 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.

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.

Mold maker vs tool builder skills

Common mold maker skills

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

Common tool builder skills

Jigs, 16%
Hand Tools, 12%
Calipers, 11%
Grinders, 11%
Aerospace, 5%
Machine Shop, 4%