Tool room machinist vs tool maker

The differences between tool room machinists and tool makers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a tool room machinist, becoming a tool maker takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a tool maker has an average salary of $52,443, which is higher than the $45,143 average annual salary of a tool room machinist.

The top three skills for a tool room machinist include jigs, grinders and hand tools. The most important skills for a tool maker are grinders, jigs, and hand tools.

Tool room machinist vs tool maker overview

	Tool Room Machinist	Tool Maker
Yearly salary	$45,143	$52,443
Hourly rate	$21.70	$25.21
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	41,699	18,166
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Associate Degree, 37%
Average age	48	54
Years of experience	4	6

Tool room machinist vs tool maker salary

Tool room machinists and tool makers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tool Room Machinist	Tool Maker
Average salary	$45,143	$52,443
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $61,000	Between $40,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	-	Sterling Heights, MI
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	General Electric
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between tool room machinist and tool maker education

There are a few differences between a tool room machinist and a tool maker in terms of educational background:

	Tool Room Machinist	Tool Maker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Associate Degree, 37%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Tool room machinist vs tool maker demographics

Here are the differences between tool room machinists' and tool makers' demographics:

	Tool Room Machinist	Tool Maker
Average age	48	54
Gender ratio	Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1%	Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 7.2% White, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 2.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between tool room machinist and tool maker duties and responsibilities

Tool room machinist example responsibilities.

Fabricate gauges, jigs, fixtures, extrusion dies, and various types of cut die components.
Design and construct drill jigs, bending fixtures, welding jigs and components for a wide variety of government contracts
Work closely with customers to determine job requirements, troubleshoot equipment problems and answer customer questions.
Operate / set up manual bridgeports.

Tool maker example responsibilities.

Programme setup and run cnc lathe).
Weld parts to customer prints with both MIG and TIG welders.
Used cad to machine parts to spec, construct assemblies, and fixtures.
Train and assist others with the use of the CAD/CAM software (Surfcam).
Lift, position, and secure machine parts on surface plates or worktables using hoists.
Design and build press brake tooling, robotic weld fixtures, weld and inspection fixtures.

Tool room machinist vs tool maker skills

Common tool room machinist skills

Jigs, 12%
Grinders, 11%
Hand Tools, 10%
Calipers, 9%
Micrometers, 8%
Machine Tools, 7%

Common tool maker skills

Grinders, 12%
Jigs, 12%
Hand Tools, 8%
Machine Tools, 7%
Calipers, 5%
CNC Machines, 5%