How much does a tire builder make?
The median tire builder in the United States earns $57,390 per year, about $27.59 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all tire builders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9197.
Tire builder salary range
Pay for tire builders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,150 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $74,680. The average (mean) wage is $57,160, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,150 | $19.31 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,900 | $23.03 | |
| Median (50th) | $57,390 | $27.59 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $64,380 | $30.95 | |
| 90th percentile | $74,680 | $35.91 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for tire builders (SOC 51-9197), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Tire builder salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Tire builders earn the most in Tennessee at $74,100 a year, and the least in Florida at $44,150. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $74,100 | 1,360 |
| North Carolina | $63,950 | 3,750 |
| Illinois | $59,830 | N/A |
| Ohio | $56,370 | 780 |
| Texas | $54,880 | 610 |
| Mississippi | $53,050 | 710 |
| Indiana | $51,170 | 1,320 |
| Iowa | $50,600 | 510 |
| Connecticut | $48,630 | 90 |
| Oregon | $48,380 | 250 |
| New York | $46,550 | 530 |
| Maryland | $46,290 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $46,010 | 270 |
| Oklahoma | $45,830 | N/A |
| Arizona | $45,770 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,270 | 360 |
| California | $44,790 | 360 |
| Michigan | $44,420 | 80 |
| Georgia | $44,220 | 940 |
| Florida | $44,150 | 170 |
State median wages for tire builders (SOC 51-9197), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for tire builders
The BLS projects employment of tire builders to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 20,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 20,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,900 openings a year for tire builders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a tire builder
The typical entry-level education for tire builders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a tire builder earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Tennessee, $74,100) and the lowest (Florida, $44,150) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 20,770 people work as tire builders in the United States. At $57,390 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Tire builder salary FAQ
How much does a tire builder make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a tire builder is $27.59. The middle half of tire builders earn between $23.03 and $30.95 per hour.
What is the highest tire builder salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of tire builders earn more than $74,680 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a tire builder make a year?
The median annual salary for a tire builder is $57,390. The average (mean) wage is $57,160, close to the median.
Is being a tire builder a well paid job?
At $57,390 a year, a tire builder earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 20,770 people work as tire builders in the United States.
Which state pays tire builders the most?
Tennessee has the highest median salary for tire builders at $74,100 a year. North Carolina ($63,950) and Illinois ($59,830) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a tire builder a good career?
Employment of tire builders is projected to hold roughly steady 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a tire builder?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for tire builders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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