Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between numerical control programmers and tool designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a numerical control programmer, becoming a tool designer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a tool designer has an average salary of $64,763, which is higher than the $52,754 average annual salary of a numerical control programmer.
The top three skills for a numerical control programmer include cnc machines, g code and cad cam. The most important skills for a tool designer are jigs, assembly fixtures, and aerospace.
| Numerical Control Programmer | Tool Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $52,754 | $64,763 |
| Hourly rate | $25.36 | $31.14 |
| Growth rate | -8% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 44,787 | 51,666 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 41% | Associate Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 43 | 54 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A numerical control programmer is responsible for designing system programs for the technical components used by various industrial operations to function automatically. Numerical control programmers operate machine tools, analyzing its schematics to create a program, and increase the efficiency of its operational properties. They should also have excellent computer literacy as this task requires the programmers to utilize CAD systems, modifying machine instructions with the strategic design plans. A numerical control programmer must be highly organizational, inspecting the accuracy of the program by running diagnostic tests and performing adjustments as necessary.
A tool designer is an expert who works to engineer a new equipment's initial design used in industrial manufacturing. Tool designers design machine cutting tools like drills, broaches, and milling-machine cutters. They apply geometric and algebraic formulas along with standard tool engineering data for tool configuration development. Also, they modify tool designs based on production service data or trial for tool life performance and life improvement.
Numerical control programmers and tool designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Numerical Control Programmer | Tool Designer | |
| Average salary | $52,754 | $64,763 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $70,000 | Between $47,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | Glastonbury, CT | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Cirrus Aircraft | Entegris |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a numerical control programmer and a tool designer in terms of educational background:
| Numerical Control Programmer | Tool Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 41% | Associate Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Drafting And Design | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between numerical control programmers' and tool designers' demographics:
| Numerical Control Programmer | Tool Designer | |
| Average age | 43 | 54 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 3% |