Tire Builders
SOC code 51-9197 · O*NET-SOC 51-9197.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Tire Builders pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$57,390
a year
Hourly
$27.59
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$57,160
$27.48 per hour
Middle 50%
$47,900 – $64,380
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$40,150 – $74,680
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
20,770
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $40,150
- $19.31/hr
- 25th percentile
- $47,900
- $23.03/hr
- Median percentile
- $57,390
- $27.59/hr
- 75th percentile
- $64,380
- $30.95/hr
- 90th percentile
- $74,680
- $35.91/hr
What does a tire builder do?
Operate machines to build tires.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Place tires into molds for new tread.
- Fit inner tubes and final layers of rubber onto tires.
- Buff tires according to specifications for width and undertread depth.
- Build semi-raw rubber treads onto buffed tire casings to prepare tires for vulcanization in recapping or retreading processes.
- Brush or spray solvents onto plies to ensure adhesion, and repeat process as specified, alternating direction of each ply to strengthen tires.
- Start rollers that bond tread and plies as drums revolve.
- Align treads with guides, start drums to wind treads onto plies, and slice ends.
- Inspect worn tires for faults, cracks, cuts, and nail holes, and to determine if tires are suitable for retreading.
How to become a tire builder
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 66% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)66%
- Less than a High School Diploma26%
- Post-Secondary Certificate7%
- Post-Doctoral Training1%
Common questions
How much does a tire builder earn?
The national median is $57,390 a year. The full range runs from $40,150 at the 10th percentile to $74,680 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a tire builder without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
- Speaking2.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Mechanical3.2/5
- English Language2.9/5
- Engineering and Technology2.8/5
- Public Safety and Security2.8/5
- Education and Training2.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Quality Control Analysis.