Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Tool and Die Makers
Tool and Die Makers 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Tool and Die Makers 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.
- Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
- Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
- Set up and operate conventionally 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Tool and Die Makers visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications. They set up and operate drill presses to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly.
A typical day for a Tool and Die Maker will also include:
- Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary.
- Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
- Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.
- Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
- Set up and operate conventionally 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.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Tool and Die Makers also set pyrometer controls of heat-treating furnaces and feed or place parts, tools, or assemblies into furnaces to harden. They may also design jigs, fixtures, and templates for use as work aids in the fabrication of parts or products.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Tool and Die Makers conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary. They might also develop and design new tools and dies, using computer-aided design software.
In addition, they select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness or heat tolerance.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.
To some Tool and Die Makers, it is also their responsibility to set up and operate drill presses to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
63% said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
Demand for this career is not growing.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Tool and Die Makers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $34,840 to $43,500 per year or $17 to $21 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $79,090 | $38 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $66,220 | $32 |
| Median | $54,760 | $26 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $43,500 | $21 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $34,840 | $17 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Tool and Die Makers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | $70630 | $33.96 |
| Federal Executive Branch | $69410 | $33.37 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $69140 | $33.24 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $66570 | $32.00 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $65860 | $31.66 |
| Specialized Design Services | $65580 | $31.53 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $64570 | $31.04 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $63940 | $30.74 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $63660 | $30.61 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $61730 | $29.68 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Tool and Die Makers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Tool and Die Makers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 14020 | $51600 | $24.81 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 8450 | $54140 | $26.03 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 8000 | $59860 | $28.78 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 3150 | $55510 | $26.69 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 3020 | $69140 | $33.24 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 2850 | $53280 | $25.61 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 2710 | $54530 | $26.22 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 1770 | $70630 | $33.96 |
| Foundries | 1540 | $51120 | $24.58 |
| Employment Services | 1290 | $45090 | $21.68 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Tool and Die Technology
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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