How to hire a tool specialist

How to hire a tool specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step tool specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a tool specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new tool specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a tool specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The tool specialist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A tool specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, tool specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of tool specialists.

   Type of Tool Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Tool Specialist	Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.	$29-55
   Mold Maker	A Mold Maker creates, adjusts, inspects, maintains, and repairs molds and production equipment. They use various machines, such as lathes, milling machines, grinding machines, and jig borders.	$16-32
   Tool And Die Designer	A tool and die designer is responsible for creating technical and mechanical components using various computer-aided machines and equipment. Tool and die designers should have an excellent comprehension of schematics and blueprints to verify dimensions and design accurate workpieces... Show more	$15-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Calipers
   • Safety Procedures
   • Hand Tools
   • Scaffolding
   • CMM
   • Windows
   • Machine Tools
   • CAD
   • Stamping Dies
   • Machine Shop
   • Safety Regulations
   • Jigs
   • CNC Machines
   • Technical Support

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Comply with all applicable FAA regulations.
   • Assist in training on running CNC machines.
   • Operate and set up a CNC machine.
   • Provide tool design inputs that enable process friendly windows.
   • Set many frac plugs both composite and cast iron.
   • Perform CNC programming and operation of Charmilles wire EDM and Mazak machining center.

   More tool specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the tool specialist job description is a good way to get more applicants. A tool specialist salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a tool specialist in Florida may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level tool specialist. Additionally, a tool specialist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average tool specialist salary

   $84,797yearly

   $40.77 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level tool specialist salary

   $62,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average tool specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$113,508	$55
   2	Indiana	$101,678	$49
   3	Massachusetts	$93,061	$45
   4	Pennsylvania	$91,900	$44
   5	Washington	$91,478	$44
   6	New Jersey	$91,280	$44
   7	Georgia	$90,752	$44
   8	Arizona	$88,888	$43
   9	New York	$88,586	$43
   10	Connecticut	$88,530	$43
   11	Virginia	$87,412	$42
   12	Nebraska	$87,171	$42
   13	Illinois	$83,170	$40
   14	Minnesota	$82,632	$40
   15	Missouri	$82,432	$40
   16	Alabama	$81,249	$39
   17	Michigan	$80,527	$39
   18	Colorado	$76,008	$37
   19	South Carolina	$74,027	$36
   20	North Carolina	$72,662	$35

   Average tool specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	GoPro	$113,947	$54.78
   2	Ensign Energy	$108,812	$52.31
   3	Waters	$100,971	$48.54
   4	Tesla	$99,935	$48.05	13
   5	Lucid Motors	$97,172	$46.72	5
   6	TRW Automotive Holdings	$96,488	$46.39
   7	Bain & Company	$95,756	$46.04
   8	Amdocs	$92,337	$44.39
   9	VIVA USA	$90,377	$43.45
   10	Saint-Gobain	$89,110	$42.84	4
   11	Saama Technologies Inc.	$86,762	$41.71
   12	Whirlpool	$86,354	$41.52	7
   13	The Daniel Group	$85,692	$41.20
   14	U.S. Bank	$85,180	$40.95	3
   15	Mars	$84,193	$40.48	1
   16	Triple-S	$83,313	$40.05
   17	SoundCloud	$83,165	$39.98
   18	Accenture	$82,893	$39.85	3
   19	Thales	$82,585	$39.70	1
   20	Northrop Grumman	$82,538	$39.68	6

4. Writing a tool specialist job description

   A tool specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a tool specialist job description:

   Tool specialist job description example

   Manufacturing Tooling Specialist
   
   Would you like the opportunity to work for an Oilfield Services Company?
   
   Do you like working in collaborative teams and solving technical problems?
   
   Be part of our Artificial Lift team!
   
   Partner with the best
   
   Our Cable/HPump facility in Claremore, OK is looking for a Manufacturing Tooling Specialist to own and coordinate all machine tooling for the plant while being empowered to drive change and continuous improvement that delivers improved machine utilization and efficiency.
   
   As a Manufacturing Tooling Specialist, you will be responsible for:
   
   * Ensuring that equipment and tools are in good condition for use. Propose plans for preventive maintenance and corrective action.
   * Exchanging data and information interaction concerns and also improvements in products, processes and procedures.
   * Handling standardized manufacturing processes. Guidelines for choosing the right actions. Some latitude in ways of working and planning.
   * Leading a small manufacturing unit with a budget > $ 0.5 million.
   
   Fuel your passion
   
   To be successful in this role you will:
   
   * Have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college (or a high school diploma / GED with at least 4 years of experience in Manufacturing).
   * Have at least 2 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
   * Have experience with tooling coordination.
   * Have good coordinating and planning skills.
   
   Desired Characteristics
   
   * Have oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Ability to work independently. Strong problem solving skills.
   
   As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our employees, customers and the communities in which we operate, this role requires full vaccination for COVID-19 prior to beginning work. Requests for reasonable accommodations due to valid medical reasons, a sincerely held religious belief, or other personal conscience objection will be considered on a case-by-case basis, including but not limited to essential job duties, in accordance with applicable law.
   
   Work in a way that works for you
   
   We recognize that everyone is different and that the way in which people want to work and deliver at their best is different for everyone.
   
   Working with us
   
   Our people are at the heart of what we do at Baker Hughes. We know we are better when all of our people are developed, engaged and able to bring their whole authentic selves to work. We invest in the health and well-being of our workforce, train and reward talent and develop leaders at all levels to bring out the best in each other.
   
   Working for you
   
   Our inventions have revolutionized energy for over a century. But to keep going forward tomorrow, we know we have to push the boundaries today. We prioritize rewarding those who embrace change with a package that reflects how much we value their input. Join us, and you can expect:
   
   * Contemporary work-life balance policies and wellbeing activities
   * Comprehensive private medical care options
   * Safety net of life insurance and disability programs
   * Tailored financial programs
   * Additional elected or voluntary benefits
   
   About Us
   
   With operations in over 120 countries, we provide better solutions for our customers and richer opportunities for our people. As a leading partner to the energy industry, we're committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and we're always looking for the right people to help us get there. People who are as passionate as we are about making energy safer, cleaner and more efficient.
   
   Join Us
   
   Are you seeking an opportunity to make a real difference in a company with a global reach and exciting services and clients? Come join us and grow with a team of people who will energize and inspire you!
   
   As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our employees, customers and the communities in which we operate, this role requires full vaccination for COVID-19 prior to beginning work. Requests for reasonable accommodations due to valid medical reasons, a sincerely held religious belief, or other personal conscience objection will be considered on a case-by-case basis, including but not limited to essential job duties, in accordance with applicable law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right tool specialist for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your tool specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit tool specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting tool specialists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new tool specialist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the tool specialist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new tool specialist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a tool specialist?