How much does a tire builder make?
a year · about $28 an hour
A typical tire builder in the United States makes $57,390 a year, about $28 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Depending on the plant, you may inspect a worn tire, line up new rubber tread, guide it through a machine, and trim or patch flaws. You often stand indoors, repeat careful hand movements, and work around noisy equipment.
Did you know? Passenger and light-truck tires are cured in a mold at over 300°F for 12–15 minutes; giant off-road tires can take up to a day.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $40,150 and $74,680How do you become one?
In the United States, a high school diploma or GED is common, though some jobs may not require one. After hiring, learn the machines on the job for a few days to a year; some employers may offer an apprenticeship.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience and in-demand skills can raise pay, and harder tasks or more responsibility may pay more. Pay also varies by employer, industry, and location; some tire-plant night shifts add extra pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Tennessee ($74,100), lowest in Georgia ($44,220).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,150 | $57,390 | $74,680 | about 21,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $74,100 | about 1,000 |
| North Carolina | $63,950 | about 4,000 |
| Ohio | $56,370 | about 780 |
| Texas | $54,880 | about 610 |
| Mississippi | $53,050 | about 710 |
Official definition: Operate machines to build tires.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-9197.00
- nccareers.org/occupation-profile/519197/1284
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes519197.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- goodyear.veteran-hiring.com/job-detail/production-associate-findlay-oh-131872090
- www.ustires.org/tires-101/how-tire-made
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY