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Automotive Manufacturing
Ford, General Motors, Magna
Tool and Die Makers
Tool and die makers build and repair the custom metal tools, dies, jigs, and fixtures that factories use to stamp, cut, and shape parts the same way every time. The work combines machining, measuring, and test-fitting, so a lot of the job is chasing tiny errors until the part is exact. The tradeoff is solid skill-based pay, but the occupation is shrinking as automation and CNC systems take on more of the work.
Also known as ToolmakerDie MakerPrecision ToolmakerTool and Die TechnicianToolroom Machinist
Median Salary
$63,180
Mean $65,100
U.S. Workforce
~55K
4.7K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-10.8%
55.2K to 49.3K
Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Tool and Die Makers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~55K workers, with a median annual pay of $63,180 and roughly 4.7K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 55.2 K in 2024 to 49.3K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Postsecondary certificate or nondegree award, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Tool and Die Apprentice and can progress toward Toolroom Lead or Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, and Quality Control Analysis, paired with soft skills such as Critical thinking, Judgment and decision making, and Time management.
Core Responsibilities
- Read blueprints, sketches, and specs to figure out the order of operations for making or repairing a tool or die.
- Cut and shape metal blocks or blanks to the right size and form using saws, shears, and hand tools.
- Machine parts, then fit them together to build or fix dies, jigs, gauges, and other shop tools.
- Run test pieces, measure the results, and make small adjustments until the finished part matches the drawing.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Read blueprints, sketches, and specs to figure out the order of operations for making or repairing a tool or die.
02 Cut and shape metal blocks or blanks to the right size and form using saws, shears, and hand tools.
03 Machine parts, then fit them together to build or fix dies, jigs, gauges, and other shop tools.
04 Run test pieces, measure the results, and make small adjustments until the finished part matches the drawing.
05 Inspect completed tools for smooth surfaces, correct shape, and any defects that could affect production.
06 Choose the right metal or alloy for the job and secure heavy parts on worktables or fixtures while machining them.
Industries That Hire
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Aerospace & Defense
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman
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Medical Device Manufacturing
Medtronic, Abbott, Stryker
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Industrial Machinery & Equipment
Caterpillar, John Deere, Haas Automation
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Appliances & Consumer Products
Whirlpool, Stanley Black & Decker, Electrolux
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is respectable for a skilled trade, with a median annual wage of $63,180 and a mean of $65,100.
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You do not need prior work experience to enter, and BLS lists long-term on-the-job training rather than a degree as the standard route.
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The work is hands-on and varied, with a mix of machining, fitting, testing, and repair instead of the same task all day.
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Skills in tooling, measuring, and troubleshooting can carry across automotive, aerospace, medical device, and machinery shops.
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Even in a shrinking occupation, there are still about 4.7K annual openings, so shops keep hiring to replace people who leave.
Challenges
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Employment is projected to fall from about 55.2K workers to 49.3K by 2034, a decline of 10.8%.
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Automation and CNC systems are taking on more of the repeat work, which reduces demand for purely manual tool and die making.
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The job is physically demanding because you lift and position heavy metal parts, work around large machines, and spend long stretches on your feet.
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Tolerances are unforgiving, so a small measurement or setup mistake can scrap expensive material or delay an entire production run.
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The career ladder can be narrow in smaller shops, with only a few lead or supervisory roles available before advancement depends on management rather than making parts.
Career Progression
Tool and Die Apprentice
0-3 years
$35K-$47K
Learns shop safety, measurement, machine setup, and basic part fitting while working under close supervision.
Tool and Die Maker
3-7 years
$55K-$72K
Builds, repairs, and tests tools and dies, making fine adjustments until the finished part meets spec.
Senior Tool and Die Maker THIS ROLE
7-12 years
$72K-$88K
Handles harder jobs, tighter tolerances, worn tools, and difficult troubleshooting on the shop floor.
Toolroom Lead or Supervisor
12+ years
$88K-$105K
Coordinates schedules, assigns work, trains newer makers, and decides how to use labor and equipment efficiently.
Education Paths
Postsecondary certificate or nondegree award
The most common route, held by 40.85% of workers in this occupation, and it matches BLS's typical entry requirement of a postsecondary nondegree award.
High school diploma plus long-term on-the-job training
A large share of workers, 39.61%, start with a high school diploma and learn the trade through lengthy supervised shop training.
Associate's degree in machining or manufacturing technology
A smaller route, held by 9.87% of workers, often used by people who want more classroom time in blueprints, measurements, and CNC basics.
Apprenticeship or industry certificate
An alternate route for shop-based training, especially if the program includes machining, tooling, blueprint reading, and CNC practice.
Key Skills
Technical
Operation and Control 65%
Operations Monitoring 65%
Quality Control Analysis 65%
Blueprint Reading & GD&T 64%
CNC Mills, Lathes & EDM Machines 64%
Precision Measuring Tools (Micrometers, Calipers & Dial Indicators) 64%
Soft Skills
Critical thinkingJudgment and decision makingTime managementAttention to detailCommunication with supervisors and coworkersPersistence Job Outlook and Trends
+-10.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
4.7K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 55.2K to 49.3 K over the next decade, representing -10.8% growth. Around 4.7 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.