Tool designer vs computer aided design designer

The differences between tool designers and computer aided design designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a tool designer, becoming a computer aided design designer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a tool designer has an average salary of $64,763, which is higher than the $60,150 average annual salary of a computer aided design designer.

The top three skills for a tool designer include jigs, assembly fixtures and aerospace. The most important skills for a computer aided design designer are auto cad, revit, and aided design.

Tool designer vs computer aided design designer overview

	Tool Designer	Computer Aided Design Designer
Yearly salary	$64,763	$60,150
Hourly rate	$31.14	$28.92
Growth rate	1%	-3%
Number of jobs	51,666	92,503
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 48%	Associate Degree, 45%
Average age	54	45
Years of experience	6	4

What does a tool designer do?

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.

What does a computer aided design designer do?

A computer-aided design (CAD) designer is responsible for creating plan outlines and project designs for a specific business need. A CAD designer utilizes various technologies and software applications to generate graphic illustrations. CAD designers must have strong knowledge of the technology designs, software management, engineering standards, and the construction industry fundamentals. CAD designers label their works with appropriate dimensions and specifications, performing necessary adjustments to meet the clients' needs. A CAD designer requires excellent critical-thinking and analytical skills to manage design structures and creative solutions.

Tool designer vs computer aided design designer salary

Tool designers and computer aided design designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tool Designer	Computer Aided Design Designer
Average salary	$64,763	$60,150
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $87,000	Between $40,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Entegris	Meta
Best paying industry	Automotive	Automotive

Differences between tool designer and computer aided design designer education

There are a few differences between a tool designer and a computer aided design designer in terms of educational background:

	Tool Designer	Computer Aided Design Designer
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 48%	Associate Degree, 45%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Drafting And Design
Most common college	-	LeTourneau University

Tool designer vs computer aided design designer demographics

Here are the differences between tool designers' and computer aided design designers' demographics:

	Tool Designer	Computer Aided Design Designer
Average age	54	45
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 73.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	3%	6%

Differences between tool designer and computer aided design designer duties and responsibilities

Tool designer example responsibilities.

Manage customer contacts, lead, design, sketch and model Saab environmental test fixtures using Unigraphics V18.
Tune and correct extrusion tools to achieve dimensional tolerances, finish and function of products to internal and external customer specifications.
Used drill press, surface grinders, vertical mills, lathes, & NC control mills.
Train on Unigraphics version NX 7.5 Mold layout and design for plastic injection molds to make automotive lighting components.
Design automated production assembly jigs and fixtures for medical devices.
Design transfer, progressive, and blank dies for niche market OEM's.

Computer aided design designer example responsibilities.

Manage the ECN process by assigning the highest priority requests through coordination between engineering staff and drafting personnel.
Manage and supervise other draftsmen.
Develop a product design to solve the problem of height adjustment of a chair using PTC CreO Direct/Elements & parametric.
Used primiarly pro-e with some autocad.
Work with both Intralink and Windchill.
Create blueprints/drawings of unique grille designs for glass windows using computer program

Tool designer vs computer aided design designer skills

Common tool designer skills

Jigs, 10%
Assembly Fixtures, 8%
Aerospace, 6%
CNC, 5%
NX, 5%
GD, 4%

Common computer aided design designer skills

Auto CAD, 8%
Revit, 8%
Aided Design, 7%
Construction Drawings, 4%
Engineering Drawings, 4%
Design Drawings, 4%

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Tool Designer
Tool Designer vs Computer Aided Design Designer

Updated January 8, 2025

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