How To Become A Tool Mechanic: What It Is and Career Path

What is a tool mechanic and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a tool mechanic. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.39 an hour? That's $44,501 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 14% and produce 69,700 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreTool MechanicUS Average

Salary

3.5

Avg. Salary $44,501

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.3

Growth rate 14%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.87%

Asian 3.27%

Black or African American 7.64%

Hispanic or Latino 17.74%

Unknown 4.18%

White 66.30%

Gender

female 2.26%

male 97.74%

Age - 50

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50

Stress level

7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a tool mechanic

Explore tool mechanic education requirements

Most common tool mechanic degrees

High School Diploma

39.4 %

Associate

24.2 %

Bachelor's

16.7 %

Start to develop specific tool mechanic skills

Skills	Percentages
Arc Welding	29.52%
Hydraulic Systems	13.64%
Cranes	10.55%
Safety Equipment	10.51%
Machine Tools	9.96%

Complete relevant tool mechanic training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New tool mechanics learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a tool mechanic based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real tool mechanic resumes.

Research tool mechanic duties and responsibilities

Accomplish final operational checkout for conformance to customer specifications of prototype and new electronic systems including system installation on new airframes.
Repair machine tool equipment, chain hoists and cranes, ventilation fans, blowers, dust collectors and elevators.
Skil in small hand tools such as grinders and air tooling.
Work on skid loaders and bailers, including engine and hydraulic systems.

Prepare your tool mechanic resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your tool mechanic resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a tool mechanic resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable tool mechanic resume templates

Build a professional tool mechanic resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your tool mechanic resume.