Tool and Die Makers salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Tool and Die Makers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $61,180 a year ($29.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,050 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $64,050. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $61,170. There are 0.83 tool and die makers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tool and die makers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| 25th percentile | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Median | $61,180 | $29.41 |
| 75th percentile | $74,720 | $35.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,050 | $39.93 |
| Average (mean) | $61,830 | $29.73 |
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 | $5,098.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,549.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,353.08 |
| Weekly | $1,176.54 |
| Hourly | $29.41 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $80,060 | 80 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $75,250 | 610 |
| Columbus, IN | $71,180 | 180 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $67,650 | 90 |
| Decatur, IL | $64,410 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,370 | 140 |
| Bloomington, IL | $64,320 | 40 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,270 | 680 |
| Peoria, IL | $62,950 | 130 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $62,540 | 180 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $62,040 | 570 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $61,760 | 140 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $61,340 | 340 |
| Muncie, IN | $61,310 | 60 |
| Evansville, IN | $60,890 | 160 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $59,610 | 570 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $58,000 | 60 |
| Rockford, IL | $52,900 | 390 |
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 |
See Tool and Die Makers pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for tool and die makers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $61,180 a year, or $29.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tool and die makers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of tool and die makers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $83,050 a year. The top 25% earn $74,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for tool and die makers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,010 a year, and a quarter of tool and die makers earn $47,150 or less.
How many tool and die makers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 3,750 tool and die makers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.