Tool specialist vs die builder

The differences between tool specialists 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 specialist and a die builder. Additionally, a tool specialist has an average salary of $84,797, which is higher than the $46,550 average annual salary of a die builder.

The top three skills for a tool specialist include calipers, safety procedures and hand tools. The most important skills for a die builder are grinders, jigs, and support production.

Tool specialist vs die builder overview

	Tool Specialist	Die Builder
Yearly salary	$84,797	$46,550
Hourly rate	$40.77	$22.38
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	32,118	4,002
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 55%
Average age	54	54
Years of experience	6	6

Tool specialist vs die builder salary

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

	Tool Specialist	Die Builder
Average salary	$84,797	$46,550
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $115,000	Between $30,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	GoPro	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between tool specialist and die builder education

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

	Tool Specialist	Die Builder
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 55%
Most common major	Business	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Tool specialist vs die builder demographics

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

	Tool Specialist	Die Builder
Average age	54	54
Gender ratio	Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4%	Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.4% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.9% 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 specialist and die builder duties and responsibilities

Tool specialist example 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.

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 specialist vs die builder skills

Common tool specialist skills

Calipers, 11%
Safety Procedures, 7%
Hand Tools, 6%
Scaffolding, 6%
CMM, 6%
Windows, 6%

Common die builder skills

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