Production
Tire Builders
Also called: Buffer, Recapper, Retread Associate, Retread Technician
US median pay
$57,390
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+0.8%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
1,900
20,300 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Operate machines to build tires.
What they do day to 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operation and Control3.2/5
- Operations Monitoring3.1/5
- Time Management2.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.2/5
- Troubleshooting2.1/5
Knowledge
- 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
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma66%
- Less than high school26%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.