Tool specialist vs jig builder

The differences between tool specialists and jig 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 jig builder. Additionally, a tool specialist has an average salary of $84,797, which is higher than the $62,348 average annual salary of a jig builder.

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

Tool specialist vs jig builder overview

	Tool Specialist	Jig Builder
Yearly salary	$84,797	$62,348
Hourly rate	$40.77	$29.98
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	32,118	2,853
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	54	54
Years of experience	6	6

Tool specialist vs jig builder salary

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

	Tool Specialist	Jig Builder
Average salary	$84,797	$62,348
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $115,000	Between $40,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	GoPro	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between tool specialist and jig builder education

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

	Tool Specialist	Jig Builder
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Tool specialist vs jig builder demographics

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

	Tool Specialist	Jig Builder
Average age	54	54
Gender ratio	Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4%	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
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, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between tool specialist and jig 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.

Jig builder example responsibilities.

Measure and keep tolerance making components for dies and molds, on CNC machines or surface grinders.
Fabricate and build assembly jigs and fixtures for agricultural equipment and accessories.
Inspect parts coming off machines with calipers and micrometers.
Design and improve processes on assembly jigs and tools on the shop floor.
Use of radial drills, lathes, mills, grinders, and relate precision measuring equipment.
Detail fabrication require use of various close tolerance measuring devices such as micrometers, calipers, and height gauges.

Tool specialist vs jig builder skills

Common tool specialist skills

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

Common jig builder skills

Jigs, 56%
Hand Tools, 23%
Calipers, 9%
Laser Tracker, 6%
Machine Shop, 4%
Drill Presses, 2%