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.
Tool and Die Makers
SOC: 51-4111 O*NET: 51-4111.00
Median Salary
$63,180
per year
Job Growth
📉 -10.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Tool and Die Makers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$44,200
10th percentile
Early Career
$51,200
25th percentile
Median
$63,180
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,430
75th percentile
Top Earners
$87,660
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$44,200
25th
$51,200
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$63,180
Mean: $65,100
75th
$77,430
90th
$87,660
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $43,460 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $51,200 and $77,430
- •Salary spread is 41.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 55,130 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:55,200
Top Industries
Manufacturing93.6%
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing25.9%
Machinery Manufacturing22.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-10.8%
Annual Openings:4,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)55,200
Current
2034 (Projected)49,300
-10.8%
-6,000
Employment Change
-10.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Tool and Die Makers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 44 locations
Michigan
9,190 jobs$64,0305.86x
Ohio
5,460 jobs$62,5402.76x
Illinois
4,590 jobs$60,6102.12x
Indiana
3,580 jobs$63,5903.14x
Wisconsin
2,970 jobs$65,8502.84x
Pennsylvania
2,910 jobs$59,5401.35x
Tennessee
2,180 jobs$60,6901.86x
Kentucky
2,100 jobs$64,6202.95x
Connecticut
1,800 jobs$76,3102.99x
Missouri
1,680 jobs$60,9401.61x
Texas
1,550 jobs$54,5500.31x
North Carolina
1,480 jobs$61,1300.84x
New York
1,460 jobs$67,7900.43x
California
1,380 jobs$77,8000.21x
Washington
1,200 jobs$78,3100.95x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
86%
#4
Judgment and Decision Making
80%
#5
Equipment Selection
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Time Management
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Equipment Maintenance
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.3
86%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.0
80%
Equipment Selection
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Time Management
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Equipment Selection
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic73%
5 shared skills
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters67%
5 shared skills
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians64%
5 shared skills
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas60%
5 shared skills
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic58%
5 shared skills
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders58%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Time Management
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Equipment Selection
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Tool and Die Makers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechBentley MicroStation
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Bentley MicroStation
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (3)General Responsibilities (12)Operations & Execution (2)
1
Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Measure, mark, and scribe metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, or rulers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Tool and Die Makers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Tool and Die Makers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Tool and Die Makers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.59
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.37
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.26
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.17
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.17
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.16
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.4
Persistence
4.3
Self-Control
4.2
Independence
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
Initiative
4.1
Analytical Thinking
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Innovation
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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