How much does a tool and die maker make?
The median tool and die maker in the United States earns $64,050 per year, about $30.79 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all tool and die makers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-4111.
Tool and die maker salary range
Pay for tool and die makers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,680 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $92,680. The average (mean) wage of $66,860 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,680 | $21.48 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $51,490 | $24.75 | |
| Median (50th) | $64,050 | $30.79 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $78,770 | $37.87 | |
| 90th percentile | $92,680 | $44.56 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for tool and die makers (SOC 51-4111), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Tool and die maker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Tool and die makers earn the most in Washington at $109,390 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $46,190. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $109,390 | 1,510 |
| Kansas | $83,890 | 660 |
| Maine | $79,910 | 80 |
| Connecticut | $77,540 | 1,880 |
| California | $77,030 | 1,790 |
| New Jersey | $74,460 | 540 |
| Oregon | $73,930 | 300 |
| North Dakota | $73,130 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $71,020 | 1,150 |
| New Hampshire | $69,910 | 250 |
| Vermont | $69,300 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $69,150 | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $68,120 | 2,450 |
| New York | $68,080 | 1,270 |
| Indiana | $68,050 | 4,090 |
| Massachusetts | $67,230 | 850 |
| Kentucky | $66,570 | 1,900 |
| Oklahoma | $65,870 | 330 |
| Michigan | $65,590 | 9,420 |
| South Carolina | $65,250 | 870 |
| Iowa | $65,000 | 760 |
| Alabama | $64,800 | 690 |
| Virginia | $64,050 | 390 |
| Florida | $63,890 | 440 |
| Colorado | $63,800 | 160 |
| Rhode Island | $63,430 | 260 |
| Ohio | $62,280 | 5,520 |
| Nevada | $61,350 | 220 |
| Illinois | $61,170 | 5,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,160 | 3,380 |
| North Carolina | $61,060 | 1,580 |
| Missouri | $60,810 | 1,280 |
| Tennessee | $60,760 | 2,930 |
| Georgia | $60,020 | 850 |
| South Dakota | $59,770 | 60 |
| Arizona | $59,140 | 310 |
| Maryland | $58,110 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $57,980 | 300 |
| Idaho | $57,800 | 50 |
| Arkansas | $56,840 | 290 |
| Utah | $56,740 | 270 |
| Texas | $55,470 | 1,710 |
| New Mexico | $47,960 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $46,950 | 170 |
| West Virginia | $46,190 | 40 |
State median wages for tool and die makers (SOC 51-4111), 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 tool and die makers
The BLS projects employment of tool and die makers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 9.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 56,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 51,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,300 openings a year for tool and die makers. 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 tool and die maker
The typical entry-level education for tool and die makers is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-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 tool and die maker 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 (Washington, $109,390) and the lowest (West Virginia, $46,190) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 56,930 people work as tool and die makers in the United States. At $64,050 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Tool and die maker salary FAQ
How much does a tool and die maker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a tool and die maker is $30.79. The middle half of tool and die makers earn between $24.75 and $37.87 per hour.
What is the highest tool and die maker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of tool and die makers earn more than $92,680 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a tool and die maker make a year?
The median annual salary for a tool and die maker is $64,050. The average (mean) wage of $66,860 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a tool and die maker a well paid job?
At $64,050 a year, a tool and die maker earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 56,930 people work as tool and die makers in the United States.
Which state pays tool and die makers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for tool and die makers at $109,390 a year. Kansas ($83,890) and Maine ($79,910) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a tool and die maker a good career?
Employment of tool and die makers is projected to shrink 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a tool and die maker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for tool and die makers as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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