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The differences between tool and die makers and tool designers 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 tool designer. Additionally, a tool designer has an average salary of $64,763, which is higher than the $52,956 average annual salary of a tool and die maker.
The top three skills for a tool and die maker include CNC, grinders and jigs. The most important skills for a tool designer are jigs, assembly fixtures, and aerospace.
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $52,956 | $64,763 |
| Hourly rate | $25.46 | $31.14 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 18,971 | 51,666 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 48% |
| 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 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.
Tool and die makers and tool designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Designer | |
| Average salary | $52,956 | $64,763 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $68,000 | Between $47,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | Syracuse, NY | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Amphenol | Entegris |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a tool and die maker and a tool designer in terms of educational background:
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tool and die makers' and tool designers' demographics:
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Designer | |
| Average age | 54 | 54 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% |
| 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, 2.5% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |