Tool designer vs die sinker apprentice

The differences between tool designers and die sinker apprentices 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 sinker apprentice. Additionally, a tool designer has an average salary of $64,763, which is higher than the $48,380 average annual salary of a die sinker apprentice.

The top three skills for a tool designer include jigs, assembly fixtures and aerospace. The most important skills for a die sinker apprentice are grinders, hand tools, and manual lathes.

Tool designer vs die sinker apprentice overview

	Tool Designer	Die Sinker Apprentice
Yearly salary	$64,763	$48,380
Hourly rate	$31.14	$23.26
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	51,666	7,189
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 48%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	54	54
Years of experience	6	6

Tool designer vs die sinker apprentice salary

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

	Tool Designer	Die Sinker Apprentice
Average salary	$64,763	$48,380
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $87,000	Between $35,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Entegris	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between tool designer and die sinker apprentice education

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

	Tool Designer	Die Sinker Apprentice
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 48%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Tool designer vs die sinker apprentice demographics

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

	Tool Designer	Die Sinker Apprentice
Average age	54	54
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 95.9% Female, 4.1%
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, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between tool designer and die sinker apprentice 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 sinker apprentice example responsibilities.

Operate MIG, TIG, and arc welders.
Certify MIG welder; TIG welder on stainless steel, harden steel (e.g.
Experience using large ceiling hoists and a trial press for test parts runs.
Train extensively with making of tools, sheet metal progression dies, jigs, gages, fixtures.
Set up and operate variety of machines, such as Bridgeport's, CNC/EDM, and bench grinders.
Fabricate parts from both blueprints and samples, using mill, lathe, multiple grinders, and precision measuring tools.

Tool designer vs die sinker apprentice skills

Common tool designer skills

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

Common die sinker apprentice skills

Grinders, 18%
Hand Tools, 13%
Manual Lathes, 11%
Jigs, 11%
Drill Presses, 7%
Machine Tools, 6%