Tool and Die Maker Salary
Tool and Die Makers earn a median $64,050 a year nationally. Production Occupations
U.S. median
$64,050
$30.79 per hour
Range
$44,680 – $92,680
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
56,930
across the U.S.
▲1.4%
Pay trend: The median for tool and die makers in the U.S. rose from $63,180 (May 2024) to $64,050 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.0%.
What tool and die makers do
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)
- Openings per year
- 4,300
Employment of tool and die makers is projected to shrink 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Tool and Die Maker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$53,644
per year · effective tax rate 16.2%
$4,470Monthly
$2,235Twice a month
$2,063Every 2 weeks
$25.79Hourly
- Federal income tax$5,506
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,971
- Medicare (1.45%)$929
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$53,644
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,680 | $21.48 | $38,080 |
| 25th percentile | $51,490 | $24.75 | $43,552 |
| Median (50th) | $64,050 | $30.79 | $53,644 |
| 75th percentile | $78,770 | $37.87 | $64,245 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,680 | $44.56 | $74,030 |
Best cities for tool and die makers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, MI | $73,120 | $57,413 | $57,242 | 4,900 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $61,180 | $48,455 | $46,773 | 3,750 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Detroit, MI — $73,120
- Chicago, IL — $61,180
Tool and Die Maker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $109,390 | +39.7% | $85,786 | $58,560 – $116,850 | 1,510 |
| Kansas | $83,890 | +3.3% | $63,965 | $51,350 – $92,670 | 660 |
| Maine | $79,910 | +4.5% | $60,829 | $50,510 – $87,870 | 80 |
| Connecticut | $77,540 | +1.6% | $60,690 | $47,770 – $100,200 | 1,880 |
| California | $77,030 | −1.0% | $59,069 | $45,710 – $104,260 | 1,790 |
| New Jersey | $74,460 | −1.9% | $58,646 | $48,890 – $96,960 | 540 |
| Oregon | $73,930 | +6.3% | $55,201 | $44,780 – $110,590 | 300 |
| North Dakota | $73,130 | +10.8% | $60,110 | $60,330 – $82,270 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $71,020 | +8.6% | $55,487 | $49,510 – $93,230 | 1,150 |
| New Hampshire | $69,910 | +2.5% | $58,012 | $52,000 – $93,480 | 250 |
| Vermont | $69,300 | +17.5% | $55,469 | $50,480 – $106,640 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $69,150 | +6.7% | $55,210 | $49,680 – $83,140 | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $68,120 | +3.4% | $54,523 | $46,940 – $81,670 | 2,450 |
| New York | $68,080 | +0.4% | $53,645 | $48,700 – $94,730 | 1,270 |
| Indiana | $68,050 | +7.0% | $54,725 | $46,810 – $92,940 | 4,090 |
| Massachusetts | $67,230 | +2.1% | $52,985 | $47,200 – $93,810 | 850 |
| Kentucky | $66,570 | +3.0% | $53,450 | $46,570 – $90,150 | 1,900 |
| Oklahoma | $65,870 | +2.8% | $52,688 | $36,110 – $80,730 | 330 |
| Michigan | $65,590 | +2.4% | $52,345 | $46,930 – $92,910 | 9,420 |
| South Carolina | $65,250 | −1.6% | $51,850 | $41,920 – $80,990 | 870 |
| Iowa | $65,000 | +5.1% | $52,589 | $51,540 – $80,170 | 760 |
| Alabama | $64,800 | +2.0% | $51,272 | $45,520 – $80,430 | 690 |
| Virginia | $64,050 | +5.3% | $50,775 | $47,400 – $86,880 | 390 |
| Florida | $63,890 | +2.1% | $53,516 | $45,570 – $79,750 | 440 |
| Colorado | $63,800 | +1.3% | $51,345 | $43,540 – $94,110 | 160 |
| Rhode Island | $63,430 | +0.4% | $51,384 | $43,750 – $83,520 | 260 |
| Ohio | $62,280 | −0.4% | $51,292 | $42,080 – $84,840 | 5,520 |
| Nevada | $61,350 | +3.2% | $51,475 | $46,580 – $81,560 | 220 |
| Illinois | $61,170 | +0.9% | $48,447 | $39,490 – $82,520 | 5,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,160 | +2.7% | $49,444 | $46,010 – $78,090 | 3,380 |
| North Carolina | $61,060 | −0.1% | $49,314 | $43,770 – $79,180 | 1,580 |
| Missouri | $60,810 | −0.2% | $49,120 | $39,560 – $94,550 | 1,280 |
| Tennessee | $60,760 | +0.1% | $51,001 | $45,600 – $81,390 | 2,930 |
| Georgia | $60,020 | −2.0% | $47,914 | $44,920 – $78,810 | 850 |
| South Dakota | $59,770 | +7.6% | $50,205 | $43,830 – $69,940 | 60 |
| Arizona | $59,140 | −12.5% | $48,429 | $38,720 – $87,200 | 310 |
| Maryland | $58,110 | +8.6% | $46,475 | $37,110 – $81,120 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $57,980 | +11.0% | $47,180 | $40,090 – $76,540 | 300 |
| Idaho | $57,800 | +6.0% | $46,667 | $38,020 – $78,640 | 50 |
| Arkansas | $56,840 | +12.8% | $45,847 | $30,830 – $76,890 | 290 |
| Utah | $56,740 | −14.9% | $46,183 | $44,950 – $84,120 | 270 |
| Texas | $55,470 | +1.7% | $46,750 | $36,350 – $85,500 | 1,710 |
| New Mexico | $47,960 | — | $39,621 | $40,260 – $79,040 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $46,950 | +3.8% | $38,882 | $40,200 – $62,240 | 170 |
| West Virginia | $46,190 | −6.9% | $37,942 | $35,410 – $65,840 | 40 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | $63,870 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.4% |
| Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | $63,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | -17.3% |
| Machinist | $58,750 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.0% |
| Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | $58,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | -22.8% |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender | $54,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.9% |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,750 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.4% |
| Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $52,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | -13.2% |
| Pourers and Casters, Metal | $51,810 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.0% |
| Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,620 | High school diploma or equivalent | -11.3% |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,140 | High school diploma or equivalent | -8.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tool and die maker make?
The national median salary for tool and die makers is $64,050 a year ($30.79 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,680 and the top 10% earn over $92,680. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays tool and die makers the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $109,390. After taxes and local prices, Detroit, MI offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many tool and die makers are there in the U.S.?
About 56,930 people work as tool and die makers nationwide.