Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2024
How to Become a Tool and Die Maker (2024)
Metalwork · 4-year apprenticeship · SOC 51-4111
Tool and Die Makers earn a national median of $67,268 per 2024 BLS data, with the 90th percentile reaching $108,160 in Seattle. The standard path is a 4-year registered apprenticeship — paid from day one, no four-year degree required.
What Does a Tool and Die Maker Do?
Tool and die makers design and build precision tools, jigs, fixtures, dies, and molds used to manufacture metal and plastic parts in mass production.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Design and build custom tools, dies, and fixtures
- Read engineering drawings and specifications
- Operate CNC and manual machine tools to tight tolerances
- Heat-treat and harden tool steel
- Test and debug tools and dies in production
The Path: How to Become a Tool and Die Maker
- 1
Finish high school or earn a GED
Most apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED. Strong math (especially algebra and geometry) and reading skills matter for trade exams and blueprint work. - 2
Find a registered apprenticeship
Search apprenticeship.gov for registered programs in your area. Programs are sponsored by unions, contractor associations, or individual employers. Application windows are usually annual. - 3
Complete the 4-year apprenticeship
Apprentices spend roughly 8000+ hours on the job paired with a journeyman, plus 144 classroom hours per year. Pay starts around $55,470 and steps up each year — see the timeline below. - 4
Pass the journeyman exam
Most states require a written + practical exam to earn the journeyman license. The exam covers code knowledge, safety, and practical work scenarios. Pass rates vary 50-80% on the first attempt. - 5
Earn certifications and (optionally) the master license
Layer on specialty certifications (NIMS Tool and Die Making certification) to access higher-paying work. Most states offer a master license after 2-4 additional years of journeyman experience — required for independent contracting in many states. - 6
Climb to the top decile
Top earners ($108,160 in Seattle) typically reach the 90th percentile through specialization, foreman/supervisor roles, union membership, or running a small contracting business.
Tool and Die Maker Apprentice Pay Timeline
Hourly wage progression based on industry-standard apprenticeship pay schedules. Actual rates vary by local union or contractor agreement.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual (2,080 hr) | % of Journeyman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Apprentice | $42/hr | $87,360 | 131% |
| Year 2 | Apprentice 2 | $55/hr | $114,400 | 172% |
| Year 3 | Apprentice 3 | $70/hr | $145,600 | 219% |
| Year 4 | Pre-journeyman | $87/hr | $180,960 | 272% |
| Journeyman | Licensed | $32/hr | $67,268 | 100% |
| Master / Top 10% | Specialist / Foreman | $52/hr | $108,160 | 161% |
Required Certifications & Licenses
- ✓NIMS Tool and Die Making certification
- ✓CNC programming certification
- ✓Blueprint reading certification
Skills You'll Need to Build
Work Environment
Tool and die makers work in tool rooms within manufacturing plants. Cleaner and more controlled environment than production floors. Work requires extreme precision and attention to detail.
Job Outlook
Demand driven by reshoring of manufacturing and medical device production. Aging workforce creating openings, average age of tool and die makers is over 50.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Tool and Die Maker Pay by City
The highest-paying metros for tool and die makers, with cost-of-living-adjusted pay so you can compare real take-home.
| City | Median | Top 10% | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $103,200 | $108,160 | D |
| San Francisco, CA | $85,290 | $124,870 | F |
| Kansas City, MO | $82,950 | $90,700 | D |
| Los Angeles, CA | $78,810 | $102,380 | F |
| New York, NY | $76,110 | $102,440 | F |
| Boston, MA | $75,730 | $94,770 | F |
| Portland, OR | $75,030 | $107,010 | D |
| Detroit, MI | $72,300 | $91,290 | D |
| Miami, FL | $70,270 | $91,650 | D |
| Minneapolis, MN | $68,340 | $93,220 | D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Most tool and die makers complete a 4-year registered apprenticeship — typically 8000+ hours of paid on-the-job training plus 144 classroom hours per year. After completing the apprenticeship and passing the journeyman exam, you can work independently. Master-level certification (where applicable) usually takes another 2-4 years of journeyman experience.
No. Tool and Die Makers do not require a four-year college degree. The standard credential is a journeyman license earned through a paid apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor at https://www.apprenticeship.gov/. Some workers complete a 1- or 2-year certificate at a community or trade college before applying — but the journeyman license is what employers actually require.
Tool and Die Maker apprentices typically start at $55,470 per year (10th percentile) and progress upward each year of the apprenticeship. By year 3, pay usually reaches the 50th percentile around $67,268. All training is paid — apprentices are W-2 employees of contractors or unions, not students paying tuition.
Common tool and die maker certifications include: NIMS Tool and Die Making certification; CNC programming certification; Blueprint reading certification. Most states also require a journeyman license; some have a separate master license for independent work.
Tool and Die Makers earn a national median of $67,268 (Trade Pay Score grade D), wages have grown -3% over the past 5 years, and the BLS counts roughly 19,270 tool and die maker jobs nationwide. The work is physically demanding and the apprenticeship is real, but the trade clears the bar for living-wage, debt-free career entry.
The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a searchable database of registered apprenticeship programs at https://www.apprenticeship.gov/. Local building trades councils, IBEW/UA/IUPAT/IBB union halls, and trade school career offices also place candidates directly. Most apprenticeships have one open application window per year — check listings early.
Wage figures from BLS OEWS 2024. Apprentice pay schedules from industry-standard registered programs. Career outlook from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2032 projections.