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Tool and Die Makers


At a Glance

  • Are highly skilled production workers
  • Use many types of tools and measuring instruments
  • Many use computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Train on the job
  • Typically work a standard work week

Career summary

Tool and die makers produce tools, dies, and special devices that enable machines to make products.

Tool and die makers might also be called tool makers or tool and die machinists.

Toolmakers craft precision tools that are used to cut, form, and shape metal and other materials. They produce jigs and fixtures, devices that hold metal while it is stamped or drilled. They also make gauges and other measuring devices. Sometimes they design tools.

Die makers construct metal forms (dies) that are used to shape metal in stamping and forging operations. They also make metal molds that are used to cast dies or mold plastics, ceramics, and other materials.

Tool and die makers use many types of machine tools and precision measuring instruments. They must also be familiar with the properties of many common metals such as the hardness of metals and how much heat they can withstand.

Tool and die makers work from blueprints or instructions. They measure and mark the pieces of metal that will be cut to form parts of the final product. They often do test runs to make sure that plans are correct. They check to be sure that the final product meets requirements.

Modern technology is changing the way that tool and die makers do their jobs. Many tool and die makers now use computer-aided design (CAD) to develop products and parts.

With CAD, workers enter specifications into computer programs. These programs produce drawings for the required tools and dies.

The electronic drawings are processed by a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) program that calculates the tool path and the sequence of operations. Computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines produce the die.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to tool and die makers.

Common work activities

Tool and die makers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, tool and die makers:

Interpersonal relationships

Physical work conditions

Work performance

Hours/travel

Physical demands

Tool and die makers frequently:

It is important for tool and die makers to be able to:

It is not as important, but still necessary, for tool and die makers to be able to:

Skills and abilities

Tool and die makers need to:

Communicate

Reason and problem solve

Work with things

Perceive and visualize

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a tool and die maker, you typically need to:

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school.

Work experience

Working as a machinist is excellent preparation for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Many tool and die makers receive informal on-the-job training from an experienced worker. Trainees usually begin as helpers. They learn to operate a variety of machine tool and hand tools. On-the-job training lasts several years. Many people who are trained on the job began as machinists.

Washington apprenticeships

For further information on apprenticeships in Washington, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Apprenticeship Program (external link)

PO Box 44530
Olympia, WA 98504-4530
360.902.5320

#Address ok lh 3/25/08 lh & 4/15/09, 5/7/13, 4/14/15, 2/21/17, 3/11/19 cj.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements (external link). You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate. Tool and die makers use advanced math. Try to take math through Trigonometry.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups (PDF file) that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Some employers prefer to hire tool and die makers who have completed a training program. Training may have been through a program at a community college or vocational school. Some employers promote machine operators or machinists to the more highly skilled job of tool and die maker.

Employers look for applicants who have a high degree of patience and attention to detail. Good eyesight is also very important. Tool and die makers should have mechanical ability and be able to work independently.

Most tool and die makers in Washington must be journey-level machinists before they can become apprentice tool and die makers. Apprenticeship training opportunities in Washington are limited.

Costs to workers

Some workers may be required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and monthly dues. Most workers are also required to have their own tools.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link).

Wages

Tool and die makers (SOC 51-4111)

Location
Pay Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
    Spokane-Spokane Valley Hourly $22.48 $26.07 $29.25 $32.78 $48.78
Monthly $3,896 $4,518 $5,069 $5,681 $8,454
Yearly $46,767 $54,219 $60,852 $68,177 $101,457
    Vancouver Hourly $15.95 $21.22 $30.61 $40.16 $46.17
Monthly $2,764 $3,677 $5,305 $6,960 $8,001
Yearly $33,176 $44,135 $63,667 $83,520 $96,027
United States Hourly $15.70 $19.89 $25.36 $30.68 $36.97
Monthly $2,721 $3,447 $4,395 $5,317 $6,407
Yearly $32,660 $41,370 $52,750 $63,820 $76,900

Wages vary by industry and area of the country. The worker's level of experience also affects wages.

Tool and die makers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

In Washington, the outlook depends on stability and expansion of industries that use metal tools or devices to mass produce products. Employment growth has been heavily impacted by the use of nonmetal materials, especially plastics. Some workers are becoming plastic mold makers. Plastic mold making requires many of the same skills used by tool and die makers.

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Tool and Die Makers (SOC 51-4111)

Location Current employment Growth over 10 years Annual openings
This
occupation
All
occupations
Washington 1,978 -1.3% 16.1% 178
    Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties 12 8.3% 13.4% 1
    Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties 62 0.0% 8.6% 6
    Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties 78 2.6% 11.9% 7
    Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties 41 4.9% 15.2% 4
    King County 689 -1.9% 19.6% 61
    Pierce County 83 8.4% 15.2% 9
    Snohomish County 959 -3.6% 12.4% 80
    Spokane County 35 5.7% 13.9% 4
United States 74,300 -6.2% 5.2% 6,700

National employment

Jobs for tool and die makers are most plentiful in the Midwest and Northeast, where many of the metalworking industries are located.

Major employers:

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is declining. This is due to foreign competition and computer automation. However, tool and die makers will continue to be needed. Manufacturers periodically retool their current machines to meet design changes for cars, planes, and other products. These workers will be needed to do the retooling.

Despite the declining number of jobs, many openings will be created each year. Current tool and die makers will retire or leave the field. In addition, employers report difficulties in finding skilled workers. Thus, job seekers with the appropriate skills and background should have excellent opportunities for finding work.

Other resources

Association for Manufacturing Technology (external link)
7901 Westpark Drive
McLean, VA 22102
800.524.0475
703.893.2900
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (external link)
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301.967.4500
Precision Metalforming Association (external link)
6363 Oak Tree Boulevard
Independence, OH 44131
216.901.8800
Washington Business Week (external link)
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

Career path

O*Net (external link) occupation

O*Net job zone (external link)

DOT occupations

Holland occupational cluster

COPSystem