Tool and Die Maker Salary in Chicago, IL
Tool and Die Makers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $61,180 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,455 take-home, or $4,038 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median tool and die maker salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,162
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,793
- Medicare (1.45%)$887
- Illinois income tax$2,884
- Take-home pay$48,455
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Tool and Die Maker pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,010 | $19.24 | $32,492 | $2,708 |
| 25th percentile | $47,150 | $22.67 | $37,876 | $3,156 |
| Median (50th) | $61,180 | $29.41 | $48,455 | $4,038 |
| 75th percentile | $74,720 | $35.92 | $57,842 | $4,820 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,050 | $39.93 | $63,289 | $5,274 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,180 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median tool and die maker's $48,455 take-home pay has the buying power of $46,773 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 2.3× the national concentration of tool and die maker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for tool and die makers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, MI | $73,120 | $57,413 | $57,242 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $61,180 | $48,455 | $46,773 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
About the job: 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.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -9.2% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tool and die maker make in Chicago, IL?
The median tool and die maker salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $61,180 a year, or about $29.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,150 and $74,720.
What is a tool and die maker’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $61,180 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $48,455 a year ($4,038 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,884 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a tool and die maker?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $64,050. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $46,773 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a tool and die maker afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median tool and die maker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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