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The differences between tool and die makers and tool specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a tool specialist has an average salary of $84,797, 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 specialist are calipers, safety procedures, and hand tools.
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 Specialist designs and carries out maintenance on tools that are used on certain manufacturing equipment and machines. Your key role is to track data on fixtures on tooling and create an estimated cost for repairs, help in assembling new tools as well as carrying out other duties in a manufacturing environment. Besides, you will be responsible for giving your input in the pricing of tools, conducting product reviews, and monitoring the maintenance of tools. You will also troubleshoot parts of your samples or newer parts when they malfunction.
Tool and die makers and tool specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Specialist | |
| Average salary | $52,956 | $84,797 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $68,000 | Between $62,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Syracuse, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Amphenol | GoPro |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a tool and die maker and a tool specialist in terms of educational background:
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tool and die makers' and tool specialists' demographics:
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Specialist | |
| Average age | 54 | 54 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% |
| 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, 6.4% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |