Tooling manager vs line leader

The differences between tooling managers and line leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a tooling manager and a line leader. Additionally, a tooling manager has an average salary of $118,897, which is higher than the $36,217 average annual salary of a line leader.

The top three skills for a tooling manager include project management, continuous improvement and CNC. The most important skills for a line leader are continuous improvement, customer service, and safety procedures.

Tooling manager vs line leader overview

	Tooling Manager	Line Leader
Yearly salary	$118,897	$36,217
Hourly rate	$57.16	$17.41
Growth rate	10%	-
Number of jobs	6,020	130,588
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

What does a tooling manager do?

A tooling manager is primarily responsible for overseeing information and data regarding tool systems. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their industry or place of employment, it typically includes setting objectives and guidelines, coordinating with staff to gather and analyze data, liaising with internal and external parties, tracking tool locations, and maintaining records. Moreover, a tooling manager typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

What does a line leader do?

Production line leaders or production team leaders typically work in the manufacturing industry. These leaders undertake both mental and physical work, including filing reports and paperwork, helping in order completion, and managing production assembly lines. They physically contain construction materials to ensure correct handling. Also, they oversee the varying activities within the organization or department. Among their tasks include inventory control, data entry, and product quality.

Tooling manager vs line leader salary

Tooling managers and line leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tooling Manager	Line Leader
Average salary	$118,897	$36,217
Salary range	Between $89,000 And $158,000	Between $23,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	Cheyenne, WY	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Meta	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Automotive	Technology

Differences between tooling manager and line leader education

There are a few differences between a tooling manager and a line leader in terms of educational background:

	Tooling Manager	Line Leader
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Tooling manager vs line leader demographics

Here are the differences between tooling managers' and line leaders' demographics:

	Tooling Manager	Line Leader
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5%	Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.5% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 4.7% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between tooling manager and line leader duties and responsibilities

Tooling manager example responsibilities.

Manage fastener development and prototyping, and work to reduce cost across large part of fastener commodities.
Lead JSA prior to picking up tools to run in wellbore and to pulling out wellbore and laying down tools.
Supervise fishing operations and manage rig controls and risk analyses.
Manage daily operations of precision machining facility that produces components for the medical and aerospace industry.
Manage workflow and oversee strict cleanroom operations, assuring compliance with FDA specifications including labeling and packaging traceability.
Perform many duties including, manual machining, operation of CNC mills, lathes, sinker and wire EDM's.

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Line leader example responsibilities.

Lead Kaizen event to establish best practices for estimating methodology and reporting templates.
Manage and develop associates base on organizational and developmental needs/conduct monthly one-on-ones with each employee to provide guidance and leadership.
Gain knowledge of USDA, OSHA, HACCP, VPP, and ISO regulations and requirements within a manufacturing environment.
Walk with QA and USDA around floor to ensure are that all areas are up to standards and ready for production.
Used SMT to place capacitors onto PCB.
Develop and maintain a safe manufacturing environment by assuring compliance with OSHA and CFR applicable as company policies.

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Tooling manager vs line leader skills

Common tooling manager skills

Project Management, 21%
Continuous Improvement, 9%
CNC, 5%
CAD, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 5%
Process Improvement, 5%

Common line leader skills

Continuous Improvement, 9%
Customer Service, 9%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Quality Checks, 6%
Assembly Line, 5%
GMP, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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