Tire Technician
Mount, balance and repair tires on cars, trucks and equipment.
- $37,710
- A few weeks on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Tire Builder
Also called: Tire Building Machine Operator · Green Tire Builder · Tire Assembler · Tire Plant Operator
What tire builders do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a tire builder do?
Tire builders operate machines to build tires from rubber components. The median pay is $57,390 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +0.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$57,390$27.59/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+0.8%2025–35, little or no change
- Openings per year1,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs20,300Employment, 2025
What tire builders do
Tire builders assemble tires before curing. They load rubber plies, beads, belts and treads on building drums, splice layers precisely, build green tires and inspect them before they go to curing presses.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects little change.
Typical duties
- Load components
- Build tires on drums
- Splice plies
- Place beads and belts
- Inspect green tires
- Meet production targets
- Maintain machines
Work environment and schedule
Builders work in tire plants.
Schedule: Full time, rotating shifts common.
A day in the life
- Check component carts.
- Load plies.
- Build green tires.
- Inspect splices.
See a full day in the life of a tire builder →
Tire Builder salary
Half of tire builders earned more than $57,390 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $40,150 for the lowest 10% to $74,680 for the top 10%.
Full tire builder pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a tire builder
- Finish high school
- Get hired at a tire plant
- Learn building
- Build speed
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a tire builder →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Tire building
- Splicing
- Component handling
- Inspection
- Machine operation
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Speed
- Reliability
- Stamina
All tire builder skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good plant pay
- Union jobs common
- No degree needed
- Skill builds
Cons
- Repetitive
- Heat
- Rotating shifts
- Production quotas
Certifications and licenses
- Plant training: Employer.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Quality training: Employer.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
Career path
- Builder Trainee: Entry.
- Tire Builder: Build.
- Lead Builder: Lead.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Tire Builder training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as make a clean ply splice and inspect a green tire, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Production Assembler
Put together products and components on factory lines, following precise instructions.
- $44,650
- 1 day to 1 month on the job
Molding Machine Operator
Run injection molding and die casting machines that make plastic and metal parts.
- $44,350
- A few months on the job
Quality Control Inspector
Measure, test and inspect products to make sure they meet specifications.
- $48,570
- 3–12 months on the job
Compare: Tire Builder vs. Tire Technician · Tire Builder vs. Production Assembler · Tire Builder vs. Molding Machine Operator · Tire Builder vs. QC Inspector
Tire Builder FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects little change.
Is pay good?
Tire plant pay is often solid.
How much does a tire builder make?
The median annual wage for tire builders was $57,390 ($27.59 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,150 and the highest 10% earned more than $74,680.
How long does it take to become a tire builder?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a tire builder?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9197 (Tire builders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Tire builders (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.