Tool designer vs die builder

The differences between tool designers and die builders 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 designer and a die builder. Additionally, a tool designer has an average salary of $64,763, which is higher than the $46,550 average annual salary of a die builder.

The top three skills for a tool designer include jigs, assembly fixtures and aerospace. The most important skills for a die builder are grinders, jigs, and support production.

Tool designer vs die builder overview

	Tool Designer	Die Builder
Yearly salary	$64,763	$46,550
Hourly rate	$31.14	$22.38
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	51,666	4,002
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 48%	High School Diploma, 55%
Average age	54	54
Years of experience	6	6

Tool designer vs die builder salary

Tool designers and die builders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tool Designer	Die Builder
Average salary	$64,763	$46,550
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $87,000	Between $30,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Entegris	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between tool designer and die builder education

There are a few differences between a tool designer and a die builder in terms of educational background:

	Tool Designer	Die Builder
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 48%	High School Diploma, 55%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Tool designer vs die builder demographics

Here are the differences between tool designers' and die builders' demographics:

	Tool Designer	Die Builder
Average age	54	54
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6%
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, 2.5% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between tool designer and die builder 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.

Die builder example responsibilities.

Perform all machining operations necessary to build production machinery and tooling to manufacture a wide selection of aerospace fasteners.
Jig out the pattern of mylar on flat and rotary die boards.
Perform all machining operations necessary to build production machinery and tooling to manufacture a wide selection of aerospace fasteners.

Tool designer vs die builder skills

Common tool designer skills

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

Common die builder skills

Grinders, 45%
Jigs, 15%
Support Production, 14%
CAD, 13%
Hoists, 13%