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Tool specialist vs tool setter apprentice

The differences between tool specialists and tool setters apprentice 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 setter apprentice. Additionally, a tool specialist has an average salary of $84,797, which is higher than the $42,732 average annual salary of a tool setter apprentice.

The top three skills for a tool specialist include calipers, safety procedures and hand tools. The most important skills for a tool setter apprentice are CNC, calipers, and grinders.

Tool specialist vs tool setter apprentice overview

Tool SpecialistTool Setter Apprentice
Yearly salary$84,797$42,732
Hourly rate$40.77$20.54
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs32,11815,585
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age5454
Years of experience66

Tool specialist vs tool setter apprentice salary

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

Tool SpecialistTool Setter Apprentice
Average salary$84,797$42,732
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $115,000Between $31,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyGoPro-
Best paying industryAutomotive-

Differences between tool specialist and tool setter apprentice education

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

Tool SpecialistTool Setter Apprentice
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Tool specialist vs tool setter apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between tool specialists' and tool setters apprentice' demographics:

Tool SpecialistTool Setter Apprentice
Average age5454
Gender ratioMale, 89.6% Female, 10.4%Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8%
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, 2.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between tool specialist and tool setter apprentice 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 setter apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Cut metal, write programs to be able to use a CNC.
  • Learned to operate lathes, mills, and grinders.
  • Inspect all parts using calipers, micrometers, and dial indicators.
  • Run the program on the CNC, run an injection mold to make a rubber cast over cables.
  • Perform all machining operations necessary to build production machinery and tooling to manufacture a wide selection of aerospace fasteners.
  • Perform all machining operations necessary to build production machinery and tooling to manufacture a wide selection of aerospace fasteners.

Tool specialist vs tool setter apprentice skills

Common tool specialist skills
  • Calipers, 11%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Scaffolding, 6%
  • CMM, 6%
  • Windows, 6%
Common tool setter apprentice skills
  • CNC, 42%
  • Calipers, 24%
  • Grinders, 11%
  • Die Repair, 9%
  • Injection Molds, 8%
  • Machine Tools, 7%

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