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Tool specialist vs tool builder

The differences between tool specialists and tool 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 tool builder. Additionally, a tool specialist has an average salary of $84,797, which is higher than the $44,285 average annual salary of a tool builder.

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

Tool specialist vs tool builder overview

Tool SpecialistTool Builder
Yearly salary$84,797$44,285
Hourly rate$40.77$21.29
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs32,11810,843
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 33%
Average age5454
Years of experience66

Tool specialist vs tool builder salary

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

Tool SpecialistTool Builder
Average salary$84,797$44,285
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $115,000Between $33,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyGoPro-
Best paying industryAutomotive-

Differences between tool specialist and tool builder education

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

Tool SpecialistTool Builder
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Tool specialist vs tool builder demographics

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

Tool SpecialistTool Builder
Average age5454
Gender ratioMale, 89.6% Female, 10.4%Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 84.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between tool specialist and tool 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.
  • Show more

Tool builder example responsibilities.

  • Contract machinist Fanuc lathes machining large turbines for use in power generation for Mitsubishi-Hitachi in Savannah Ga.
  • Fabricate composite and aluminum full validating fixtures for interior and exterior vehicle build.

Tool specialist vs tool builder skills

Common tool specialist skills
  • Calipers, 11%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Scaffolding, 6%
  • CMM, 6%
  • Windows, 6%
Common tool builder skills
  • Jigs, 16%
  • Hand Tools, 12%
  • Calipers, 11%
  • Grinders, 11%
  • Aerospace, 5%
  • Machine Shop, 4%

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