How Much Does a Tool and Die Maker Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$64,050
Tool and die makers in the U.S. earn a median of $64,050 a year, or $30.79 an hour. Half of tool and die makers earn more than $64,050 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $92,680.
Pay percentiles for tool and die makers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21.48 | $44,680 |
| 25th | $24.75 | $51,490 |
| 50th (median) | $30.79 | $64,050 |
| 75th | $37.87 | $78,770 |
| 90th | $44.56 | $92,680 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Tool and Die Makers (SOC 51-4111). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for tool and die makers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $109,390 | $52.59 | +71% |
| Kansas | $83,890 | $40.33 | +31% |
| Maine | $79,910 | $38.42 | +25% |
| Connecticut | $77,540 | $37.28 | +21% |
| California | $77,030 | $37.04 | +20% |
| New Jersey | $74,460 | $35.80 | +16% |
| Oregon | $73,930 | $35.54 | +15% |
| North Dakota | $73,130 | $35.16 | +14% |
| Minnesota | $71,020 | $34.15 | +11% |
| New Hampshire | $69,910 | $33.61 | +9% |
| United States | $64,050 | $30.79 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many tool and die makers are there?
BLS counts about 56,930 tool and die makers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in Michigan (9,420), Ohio (5,520) and Illinois (5,220).
The mean (average) annual wage is $66,860, higher than the median of $64,050.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,338
- Biweekly
- $2,463
- Weekly
- $1,232
- Daily (8 hours)
- $246
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do tool and die makers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for tool and die makers is $30.79. The middle 50% earn between $24.75 and $37.87 an hour.
Which state pays tool and die makers the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for tool and die makers at $109,390, +71% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for tool and die makers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of tool and die makers earn less than $44,680 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.