Operate machines to build tires.
Tire Builders
SOC: 51-9197 O*NET: 51-9197.00
Median Salary
$57,390
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate machines to build tires.
What does a Tire Builders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$40,150
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,900
25th percentile
Median
$57,390
50th percentile
Experienced
$64,380
75th percentile
Top Earners
$74,680
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$40,150
25th
$47,900
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$57,390
Mean: $57,160
75th
$64,380
90th
$74,680
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $34,530 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,900 and $64,380
- •Salary spread is 28.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 20,770 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:20,300
Top Industries
Manufacturing95%
Rubber Product Manufacturing95%
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing95%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.8%
Annual Openings:1,900
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)20,300
Current
2035 (Projected)20,500
+0.8%
+200
Employment Change
+0.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Tire Builders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 20 locations
North Carolina
3,750 jobs$63,9505.68x
Tennessee
1,360 jobs$74,1003.11x
Indiana
1,320 jobs$51,1703.09x
Georgia
940 jobs$44,2201.45x
Ohio
780 jobs$56,3701.05x
Mississippi
710 jobs$53,0504.56x
Texas
610 jobs$54,8800.32x
New York
530 jobs$46,5500.41x
Iowa
510 jobs$50,6002.45x
Pennsylvania
360 jobs$45,2700.45x
California
360 jobs$44,7900.15x
Kentucky
270 jobs$46,0101.01x
Oregon
250 jobs$48,3800.93x
Florida
170 jobs$44,1500.13x
Arizona
130 jobs$45,7700.31x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Production and Processing
100%
#2
Operation and Control
100%
#3
Manual Dexterity
100%
#4
Multilimb Coordination
92%
#5
Operations Monitoring
86%
#6
Control Precision
82%
#7
Arm-Hand Steadiness
74%
#8
Monitoring
70%
#9
Administration and Management
70%
#10
Finger Dexterity
66%
Skills Overview
Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Manual Dexterity
advanced5.0
100%
Multilimb Coordination
advanced4.6
92%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Control Precision
intermediate4.1
82%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.5
70%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Production and Processing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Manual Dexterity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Multilimb Coordination
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Control Precision
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Administration and Management
intermediateImportance70%
knowledge
3.5/5.0
Finger Dexterity
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Rate Control
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance56%
abilities
2.8/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic100%
5 shared skills
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders83%
5 shared skills
Pourers and Casters, Metal83%
5 shared skills
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders83%
5 shared skills
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers80%
4 shared skills
Recycling and Reclamation Workers80%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Production and Processing
Learn on the Job:
- →Critical Thinking
- →Finger Dexterity
- →Rate Control
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Manual Dexterity
- ✓Multilimb Coordination
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Manual Dexterity
- ★Control Precision
- ★Arm-Hand Steadiness
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Tire Builders
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (18)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Depress pedals to rotate drums, and wind specified numbers of plies around drums to form tire bodies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Start rollers that bond tread and plies as drums revolve.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Inspect worn tires for faults, cracks, cuts, and nail holes, and to determine if tires are suitable for retreading.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Cut plies at splice points, and press ends together to form continuous bands.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Align treads with guides, start drums to wind treads onto plies, and slice ends.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Position ply stitcher rollers and drums according to width of stock, using hand tools and gauges.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Build semi-raw rubber treads onto buffed tire casings to prepare tires for vulcanization in recapping or retreading processes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Wind chafers and breakers onto plies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Pull plies from supply racks, and align plies with edges of drums.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Clean and paint completed tires.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Tire Builders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Tire Builders professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Tire Builders
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.18
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.14
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.65
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.63
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.59
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.57
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.2
Dependability
4.1
Cooperation
3.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Achievement/Effort
3.6
Self-Control
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Tire Builders.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Tire Builders
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
2.4k program completions/year
South Florida Institute of Technology
Miami, FL
1.4k program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
1.4k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Houston
Houston, TX
1.1k program completions/year
River Parishes Community College
Gonzales, LA
1.1k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
1.1k program completions/year
Refrigeration School Inc
Phoenix, AZ
863 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
789 program completions/year
Maysville Community and Technical College
Maysville, KY
776 program completions/year
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA
685 program completions/year
Arclabs
Piedmont, SC
669 program completions/year
John C Calhoun State Community College
Tanner, AL
649 program completions/year