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The differences between tool and die makers and mold 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 tool and die maker and a mold maker. Additionally, a tool and die maker has an average salary of $52,956, which is higher than the $48,841 average annual salary of a mold maker.
The top three skills for a tool and die maker include CNC, grinders and jigs. The most important skills for a mold maker are grinders, plastic injection molds, and cnc machines.
| Tool And Die Maker | Mold Maker | |
| Yearly salary | $52,956 | $48,841 |
| Hourly rate | $25.46 | $23.48 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 18,971 | 13,896 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 3 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Average age | 54 | 54 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A tool and die maker is responsible for operating various mechanical tools and equipment to create components, metal parts, and other tools for a wide range of industries. Tool and die makers analyze schematics and blueprints to assemble parts and verify dimensions accurately. They also perform diagnostic tests for the items and adjust specifications as needed. A tool and die maker must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as extensive knowledge of the technological and mechanical industries.
A Mold Maker creates, adjusts, inspects, maintains, and repairs molds and production equipment. They use various machines, such as lathes, milling machines, grinding machines, and jig borders.
Tool and die makers and mold makers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tool And Die Maker | Mold Maker | |
| Average salary | $52,956 | $48,841 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $68,000 | Between $34,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Syracuse, NY | Monterey, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Amphenol | Vicor |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a tool and die maker and a mold maker in terms of educational background:
| Tool And Die Maker | Mold Maker | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tool and die makers' and mold makers' demographics:
| Tool And Die Maker | Mold Maker | |
| Average age | 54 | 54 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |