Tool and Die Makers
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
Median pay: $64,050/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -10.8% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 4,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
• Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.
• Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
• Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
• Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools, hand tools, or welders.
• Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
• Select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness or heat tolerance.
• Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
What's the median pay for Tool and Die Makers?
The median pay for Tool and Die Makers is $64,050 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Tool and Die Makers?
Employment for Tool and Die Makers is projected to change -10.8% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Tool and Die Makers?
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
How many job openings are there each year for Tool and Die Makers?
About 4,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.