Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Tire builders work in a specialized production role with a national employment base of about 21,000 workers. The field offers a defined pathway for people interested in hands-on, mechanically oriented work, supported by a typical entry requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent. The national median annual salary of $55,580 indicates a solid earning level for those who develop expertise in this occupation. Projected employment growth of 2.3% suggests that opportunities are expected to continue, with around 2,000 annual openings providing ongoing entry points for new workers and career changers. In this career, skills such as fine motor ability, physical strength and stamina, mechanical knowledge, attention to detail, and basic science and mathematics are particularly valuable. Additional strengths in project management, leadership, customer service, and computers and information technology can support long-term advancement and broader responsibilities within manufacturing or production environments.
Tire builders earn a national median annual salary of $55,580, giving this occupation a clear financial benchmark for planning and comparison. Within specific states, median wages vary meaningfully. Among the top states by opportunity score, Texas stands out with a median salary of $54,880, close to the national median, while California, New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania show median salaries ranging from $44,790 to $46,550. At the metro level, some areas report higher pay: the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA metro has a median salary of $63,060, which is substantially above the national median for this occupation. Other top metros, such as Charlotte, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis, show median salaries in the mid-to-upper $40,000s. These differences highlight the importance of location when evaluating earning potential, with certain metros and states offering higher median pay for tire builders.
Tire builders have a national employment level of about 21,000 workers, indicating a sizable, established occupation. Projected employment growth of 2.3% signals that the field is expected to expand, though moderately, over the projection period. In practical terms, this growth, combined with turnover and replacement needs, leads to an estimated 2,000 annual openings nationwide. For job seekers and career changers, these annual openings represent ongoing opportunities to enter or re-enter the field. Because the typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, the occupation can be accessible to individuals who invest in building the right skill set rather than lengthy formal education. Overall, the combination of an existing employment base, positive projected growth, and recurring annual openings suggests a labor market where opportunities are consistently available across the country for qualified candidates.
Location can significantly shape the experience of tire builders, and the CareerGPS opportunity scores highlight key states and metro areas. Among states, California and New York have the highest opportunity scores at 67.38 and 65.78, with median salaries of $44,790 and $46,550 and employment levels of 360 and 530, respectively. Maryland, Texas, and Pennsylvania also appear as strong options, with Texas offering a relatively high median salary of $54,880 and the largest employment among these top states at 610. All of these top states share the same projected growth rate of 2.3%. At the metro level, Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GA leads by opportunity score (52.98) with 740 employed tire builders, the highest employment among the listed metros. Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA stands out for pay, with a median salary of $63,060 and employment of 310. Other metros—Charlotte, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis—offer median salaries in the mid-to-upper $40,000s, with modest employment levels and the same 2.3% projected growth.
Tire builders typically enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent. This educational requirement makes the occupation accessible while placing greater importance on developing strong, targeted skills. Fine motor skills and physical strength and stamina are central, supporting the precise and physically demanding aspects of the work. Mechanical skills, along with science and mathematics, form a core technical foundation that can help workers understand processes, equipment, and measurements. Beyond technical abilities, several broader skills can enhance performance and advancement potential. Being detail oriented supports quality and consistency. Project management and leadership skills can position workers for roles coordinating tasks or supervising others. Customer service skills may be relevant in environments where tire builders interact with internal or external clients. Finally, competency with computers and information technology supports working with modern production systems and documentation. Together, these skills complement the foundational high school education requirement and can help shape a long-term career path in this occupation.
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