Tool Designer Education Requirements And Courses

Tool designer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, tool designers don't need a college education. The most common degree for tool designers is associate degree with 48% graduates, with only 36% tool designer graduates earning bachelor's degree. Tool designers who decided to graduate from college often finish Purdue University or Weber State University. Some good skills to have in this position include jigs, assembly fixtures and aerospace.

Popular tool designer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT), Master Engine Machinist, or Certified Machine Tool Sales Engineer (CMTSE). To improve tool designer qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in tool designer education paths.

What education do you need to become a tool designer?

What degree do you need to be a tool designer?

The most common degree for tool designers is associate degree, with 48% of tool designers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 36% and bachelor's degree degree at 5%.

Associate, 48%

Bachelor's, 36%

High School Diploma, 5%

Diploma, 5%

Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a tool designer?

You should major in drafting and design to become a tool designer. 28% of tool designers major in drafting and design. Other common majors for a tool designer include mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering technology.

Drafting And Design, 28%

Mechanical Engineering, 17%

Mechanical Engineering Technology, 9%

Precision Metal Working, 7%

Other Majors, 39%

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Drafting And Design	28.3%
2	Mechanical Engineering	17.3%
3	Mechanical Engineering Technology	8.9%
4	Precision Metal Working	7.1%
5	Industrial Technology	6.7%

Rank

Major

Percentages

Drafting And Design

28.3%

Mechanical Engineering

17.3%

Mechanical Engineering Technology

8.9%

Precision Metal Working

7.1%

Industrial Technology

6.7%

20 best online courses for tool designers

Advertising disclosure

1. Siemens NX Unigraphics (UG) Fundamental 3D Modelling Course

4.5

(985)

Learn Unigraphics From Scratch including part design, drawing,assembly, surface modeling...

2. Fusion 360 CAD/CAM for CNC routers

4.5

(397)

Make any part using your CNC router with Fusion 360...

3. Pro Engineer Creo Fundamental 3D design course

4.3

(1,044)

Learn fundamentals of creo parametric from scratch including part design,drawing,assembly...

4. Automotive product design using CATIA V5

4.4

(624)

Automotive domain design using CATIA, interior and exterior trims on CATIA, Plastic product design in Automotive sector...

5. Complete Course in CATIA

4.4

(674)

For Students, Engineers, and Designers...

6. Complete CATIA V5 course - Aerospace, Automotive, Industrial

4.5

(1,945)

Learn CATIA V5 with this perfectly designed course created after live interaction with 1000s of students in classroom...

7. Complete Siemens NX course-Aerospace, Automotive, Industrial

4.4

(608)

Learn Siemens NX with this perfectly designed course created after live interaction with 1000s of students in classroom...

8. Siemens NX 10 Essential Training

4.5

(1,207)

Learn Siemens NX from scratch and be Pro...

9. Master Pro Tools 11 - A Definitive Pro Tools Course

4.3

(383)

Master Avid Pro Tools 11. Learn the Audio Production Secrets used by the Pros. An easy to follow Pro Tools tutorial...

10. CATIA V5 3D Design & Modeling Course for Beginner

(386)

Learn CATIA V5 from an industry expert like a Pro and become an expert in Sketch & Part Module...

11. Catia V5 Electrical Harness Design - Automotive & Industrial

4.6

(676)

Learn Catia V5 from a design engineer with more la 18 years experience in automotive, racing and industrial design...

12. Master Solidworks 2015 - 3D CAD using real-world examples

4.2

(388)

Learn how to master Solidworks 3D CAD modelling for any use, from 3D printing to professional product design!...

13. Learning SOLIDWORKS: For Students, Engineers, and Designers

4.4

(2,712)

For Basic and Intermediate Users...

14. Graphic Design Masterclass - Learn GREAT Design

4.7

(55,714)

The Ultimate Graphic Design Course Which Covers Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design,Design Theory, Branding and Logo Design...

15. Complete Eagle CAD PCB Design: Theory and Practical approach

4.4

(270)

Complete PCB Design Course for Freshers & Professionals...

16. Siemens NX 1847 - Essential Training

4.4

(347)

Learn Siemens NX from scratch and Be PRO in Siemens NX within a week...

17. Digital Design Masterclass For Graphic Designers

4.7

(1,245)

Icon Set Design, E-book cover, Digitizing Sketches, Social Media Design, Wordpress Web Design, Adobe Xd, GIFS and more!...

18. Introduction to SOLIDWORKS

4.6

(1,147)

Learn the fundamentals of SOLIDWORKS engineering and design software including parts, drawings, and assemblies...

19. Fusion 360 tutorial for CNC machinists

4.3

(575)

CAD CAM training for CNC machinists using fusion 360...

20. Master Solidworks 2018 - 3D CAD using real-world examples

4.3

(1,615)

The 2018 version of the bestselling Solidworks 3D CAD course - learn modelling for any use, from 3D printing to pro use!...

Average tool designer salary by education level

Tool designers with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $68,379 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, tool designers earn a median annual income of $65,774 compared to $64,801 for tool designers with an High School Diploma degree.

Tool designer education level	Tool designer salary
High School Diploma or Less	$64,801
Bachelor's Degree	$65,774
Some College/ Associate Degree	$68,379