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The differences between tool and die makers and tool technicians 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 technician. Additionally, a tool and die maker has an average salary of $52,956, which is higher than the $42,908 average annual salary of a tool technician.
The top three skills for a tool and die maker include CNC, grinders and jigs. The most important skills for a tool technician are grinders, hand tools, and CNC.
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $52,956 | $42,908 |
| Hourly rate | $25.46 | $20.63 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 18,971 | 78,258 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| 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.
Tool technicians are skilled professionals who are responsible for repairing a variety of pneumatic and hand tools as well as disassemble defective electrical equipment in a manufacturing firm using these hand tools. These technicians are required to coordinate with other areas of the company to schedule and perform preventive maintenance duties. They must provide support for CNC operators by setting up the caliper and micrometer of all the CNC machines. Tool technicians must also assist coworkers in ordering materials and purchasing machine parts.
Tool and die makers and tool technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Technician | |
| Average salary | $52,956 | $42,908 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $68,000 | Between $29,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Syracuse, NY | Fort Wayne, IN |
| Highest paying state | New York | Indiana |
| Best paying company | Amphenol | Rivian |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a tool and die maker and a tool technician in terms of educational background:
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tool and die makers' and tool technicians' demographics:
| Tool And Die Maker | Tool Technician | |
| Average age | 54 | 54 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| 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, 84.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |