Skilled Trades
Tire Builders
Operate machines to build tires.
Median salary (BLS)
$57,390
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$40k – $75k
Job outlook
+2% (about average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Tire Builders
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$100–$2,600
Time to qualify
3.1 yr
Renewal
$50/yr
- 1
Registered apprenticeship (paid)
ExperienceEarn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.
$0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source
- 2
Journeyman exam & state/local license
LicenseMost states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.
$100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Tire Builders" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior Tire Builders
Entry / Junior
$40,150
~2 yrs to advance
Tire Builders
Established
$57,390
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Tire Builders
Senior
$66,035
Key skills
A typical day
- •Build semi-raw rubber treads onto buffed tire casings to prepare tires for vulcanization in recapping or retreading processes.
- •Trim excess rubber and imperfections during retreading processes.
- •Fill cuts and holes in tires, using hot rubber.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.