Career Paths From Tool and Die Makers

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Model Makers, Metal and PlasticLateral Move87.8% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Model Makers, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (88% match). Model Makers, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$63,340
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Patternmakers, Metal and PlasticLateral Move84.3% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (84% match). Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 9% lower.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$58,000
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move74.2% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (74% match). Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 18% lower.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$52,800
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Industrial Machinery MechanicsCareer Change72.3% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Industrial Machinery Mechanics share a similar Transferable Skills profile (72% match). Industrial Machinery Mechanics is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$64,520
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersLateral Move82.9% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (83% match). Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 6% higher.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$68,120
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move74.1% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (74% match). Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 26% lower.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$47,180
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
MachinistsLateral Move75.9% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Machinists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (76% match). Machinists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 8% lower.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$58,750
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingLateral Move74.1% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing share a similar Transferable Skills profile (74% match). Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 32% lower.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$43,380
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and TechniciansCareer Change78.4% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 16% higher.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$74,510
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move73.7% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (74% match). Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 28% lower.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$46,330
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Chemical TechniciansCareer Change73% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Chemical Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (73% match). Chemical Technicians is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 6% lower.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$60,390
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Broadcast TechniciansCareer Change77.8% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Broadcast Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Broadcast Technicians is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 7% lower.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$59,570
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Medical Appliance TechniciansLateral Move75% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Medical Appliance Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (75% match). Medical Appliance Technicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 25% lower.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$48,030
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
BoilermakersCareer Change74.8% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Boilermakers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (75% match). Boilermakers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 19% higher.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$76,410
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move72.3% skill match
Tool and Die Makers and Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (72% match). Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 27% lower.
Current median salary
$64,050
Target median salary
$46,550
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.