Tool specialist vs die mechanic

The differences between tool specialists and die mechanics 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 mechanic. Additionally, a tool specialist has an average salary of $84,797, which is higher than the $45,271 average annual salary of a die mechanic.

The top three skills for a tool specialist include calipers, safety procedures and hand tools. The most important skills for a die mechanic are grinders, calipers, and micrometers.

Tool specialist vs die mechanic overview

	Tool Specialist	Die Mechanic
Yearly salary	$84,797	$45,271
Hourly rate	$40.77	$21.76
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	32,118	34,815
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 38%
Average age	54	54
Years of experience	6	6

Tool specialist vs die mechanic salary

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

	Tool Specialist	Die Mechanic
Average salary	$84,797	$45,271
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $115,000	Between $32,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	GoPro	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between tool specialist and die mechanic education

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

	Tool Specialist	Die Mechanic
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Tool specialist vs die mechanic demographics

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

	Tool Specialist	Die Mechanic
Average age	54	54
Gender ratio	Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4%	Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%
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, 1.8% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 4.7% Asian, 2.6% White, 87.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between tool specialist and die mechanic 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 mechanic example responsibilities.

Position and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
Sharpen dull blades, using bench grinders, abrasive wheels, or lathes.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Deliver exceptional maintenance on extrusion lines and develop rubber extrusion dies to production standards; operate fork lift.

Tool specialist vs die mechanic skills

Common tool specialist skills

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

Common die mechanic skills

Grinders, 58%
Calipers, 12%
Micrometers, 11%
Hoists, 6%
Machine Tools, 6%
CNC, 6%