Tool and Die Makers salary in California
Tool and Die Makers in California earn a median of $77,030 a year ($37.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,260 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $64,050. California ranks 5th of 45 states for tool and die makers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.10 tool and die makers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $75,120, close to the median.
Pay range for tool and die makers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,710 | $21.97 |
| 25th percentile | $54,640 | $26.27 |
| Median | $77,030 | $37.04 |
| 75th percentile | $92,510 | $44.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,260 | $50.12 |
| Average (mean) | $75,120 | $36.12 |
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 | $6,419.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,209.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,962.69 |
| Weekly | $1,481.35 |
| Hourly | $37.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Tool and Die Makers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $97,560 | 130 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $85,010 | 100 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $82,820 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,020 | 950 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $72,390 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $62,690 | 280 |
| Modesto, CA | $52,300 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for tool and die makers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $109,390 |
| Kansas | $83,890 |
| Maine | $79,910 |
| Connecticut | $77,540 |
| California | $77,030 |
| New Jersey | $74,460 |
| Oregon | $73,930 |
| North Dakota | $73,130 |
| Minnesota | $71,020 |
| New Hampshire | $69,910 |
Related jobs in California
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 California?
The median salary for tool and die makers in California is $77,030 a year, or $37.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tool and die makers make in California?
The top 10% of tool and die makers in California earn at least $104,260 a year. The top 25% earn $92,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for tool and die makers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,710 a year, and a quarter of tool and die makers earn $54,640 or less.
How many tool and die makers work in California?
About 1,790 tool and die makers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.