Tool and Die Makers
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.
See full salary breakdown & percentiles →
Career Outlook
National employment outlook, 2024–2034.
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Self-employed
- Not available
Source: BLS Employment Projections — 2024-2034.
How Much Preparation Does This Take?
Job Zone 3 of 5Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Job training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Source: O*NET Job Zones.
Key Knowledge Areas
Subject-matter areas this occupation draws on most, per O*NET.
- Mechanicalimportance 4.5/5
- Mathematicsimportance 3.5/5
- Production and Processingimportance 3.5/5
- Designimportance 3.4/5
- English Languageimportance 3.0/5
- Engineering and Technologyimportance 2.9/5
- Education and Trainingimportance 2.8/5
- Computers and Electronicsimportance 2.6/5
Work Environment
What the day-to-day work setting is like, per O*NET.
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets5.0/5
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.8/5
- Freedom to Make Decisions4.8/5
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams4.7/5
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals4.4/5
- Exposed to Hazardous Equipment4.3/5
Careers With Similar Skills
Occupations whose Transferable Skills profile most closely matches this one — a mathematical comparison, not observed data about people actually moving between these careers.
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic88% skill match
- Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic84% skill match
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters84% skill match
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers83% skill match
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators80% skill match
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians78% skill match
- Broadcast Technicians78% skill match
- Machinists76% skill match
Transferable Skills
Cross-functional skills this occupation draws on most, per O*NET — the kind that carry over to other careers.
- Operations Monitoringimportance 3.3/5
- Operation and Controlimportance 3.3/5
- Quality Control Analysisimportance 3.3/5
- Equipment Selectionimportance 3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 3.1/5
- Time Managementimportance 3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solvingimportance 3.0/5
- Equipment Maintenanceimportance 3.0/5
Software & Technologies
Tools and software used in this occupation, per O*NET.
Hot Technologies
Other Software Used
- 1CadCam Unigraphics
- Autodesk Inventor
- CNC Mastercam
- Cimatron CimatronE Master
- DP Technology ESPRIT
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- JobPack MES Scheduler
- Kubotek USA KeyCreator
Work Style
Personal work characteristics that matter most for this occupation, per O*NET.
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Achievement Orientation
- Perseverance
- Innovation
- Intellectual Curiosity
Career Interests
This occupation’s RIASEC interest profile, per O*NET — how strongly it fits each of the six Holland interest types.
- RealisticHigh
- ConventionalMedium
- InvestigativeLow
- ArtisticLow
- SocialLow
- EnterprisingLow
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Where This Career Is Most Concentrated
Metro areas where tool and die makers make up the largest share of local employment, relative to the national average (BLS location quotient).
- 1Morristown, TN10.47× national avg
- 2Sheboygan, WI10.11× national avg
- 3Columbus, IN9.65× national avg
- 4Waterbury-Shelton, CT9.39× national avg
- 5Jackson, MI8.74× national avg
Possible Career Moves
A computed starting point, not observed job-change data — see the full list for why each one might fit.
- Model Makers, Metal and PlasticLateral Move
- Patternmakers, Metal and PlasticLateral Move
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move
- Industrial Machinery MechanicsCareer Change
Related Education Programs
Schools that offer related fields of study, based on the NCES CIP-SOC crosswalk — not a guarantee that graduates enter this specific career.
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
- Tulsa Welding School-Houston (Houston, TX)grads earn ~$47,367
- Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL)grads earn ~$47,367
- Ivy Tech Community College (Indianapolis, IN)grads earn ~$53,579
- Front Range Community College (Westminster, CO)grads earn ~$52,873
- Tulsa Welding School-Tulsa (Tulsa, OK)grads earn ~$47,367