What Does A Tool And Die Maker Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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.

Salary
$55520
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Post-secondary certificate
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth
Low

Personality
Interest Match


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

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

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

$55520 per year

Average hourly wage

$27 per hour

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

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
69%

More than 40 hours
31%

Working schedule

92%

8%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
8%

Every day
6%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
14%

Every day
2%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
18%

Every day
80%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
81%

Once a year
2%

Once a month
8%

Once a week
10%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
32%

Slightly competitive
3%

Moderately competitive
37%

Highly competitive
27%

Extremely competitive
1%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
63%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
34%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
35%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
62%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
75%

Once a year or more
8%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
16%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
87%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
10%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
11%

Post-Secondary Certificate
68%

Some College Courses
1%

Associate’s Degree or similar
17%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
3%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Tool and Die Technology

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate machine tools used in the forming of metal components, as well as the fabrication of special tools, dies, jigs and fixtures used in cutting, working and finishing metal components.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
0%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
8%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
3%

1 to 2 years
19%

2 to 4 years
25%

4 to 6 years
18%

6 to 8 years
4%

8 to 10 years
6%

Over 10 years
17%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
3%

1 month
12%

1 to 3 months
4%

3 to 6 months
24%

6 months to 1 year
20%

1 to 2 years
16%

2 to 4 years
7%

4 to 10 years
14%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

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.

The Builder
95%

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.


The Thinker
71%

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.


The Artist
48%

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.


The Helper
14%

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.


The Leader
19%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
62%

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?

Achievement
43%

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.

Working Conditions
55%

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.

Recognition
33%

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.

Relationships
48%

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.

Support
71%

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.

Independence
52%

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.

FAQ


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