Tool and Die Makers salary in the U.S.
Tool and Die Makers in the U.S. earn a median of $64,050 a year ($30.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 56,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,680 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $66,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tool and die makers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| 25th percentile | $51,490 | $24.75 |
| Median | $64,050 | $30.79 |
| 75th percentile | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,680 | $44.56 |
| Average (mean) | $66,860 | $32.14 |
Half of tool and die makers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,337.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,668.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,463.46 |
| Weekly | $1,231.73 |
| Hourly | $30.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Tool and Die Makers salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Puerto Rico | $37,820 | 340 |
Best-paying metro areas for tool and die makers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $116,850 | 1,090 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $97,560 | 130 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $87,240 | 60 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $85,740 | 450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $85,010 | 100 |
| Lima, OH | $84,730 | 70 |
| Wichita, KS | $83,890 | 440 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $83,510 | 290 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $82,820 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $81,510 | 250 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $80,060 | 80 |
| Lincoln, NE | $80,030 | 130 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $79,910 | 40 |
| Ogden, UT | $79,480 | 60 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $79,020 | 60 |
Metro areas with the most tool and die makers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 4,900 | $73,120 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 3,750 | $61,180 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | 1,540 | $64,650 |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,280 | $64,070 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,090 | $116,850 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 950 | $78,020 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 930 | $74,840 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 830 | $68,120 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 810 | $69,210 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 770 | $78,060 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 680 | $64,270 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 660 | $76,380 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 660 | $61,160 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 630 | $59,910 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 610 | $75,250 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
More: Production Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4111. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tool and die makers make in the U.S.?
The median salary for tool and die makers in the U.S. is $64,050 a year, or $30.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tool and die makers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of tool and die makers in the U.S. earn at least $92,680 a year. The top 25% earn $78,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for tool and die makers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,680 a year, and a quarter of tool and die makers earn $51,490 or less.
How many tool and die makers work in the U.S.?
About 56,930 tool and die makers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.