What You Need to Know About Tool and Die Maker
Position Description 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.
Tool & Die Maker Responsibilities
- Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
- Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.
- Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools and hand tools.
- File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together.
- Measure, mark, and scribe metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, or rulers.
- Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
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Tool & Die Maker Required Skills
When polled, Tool and Die Makers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Equipment Selection: Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Tool and Die Technician
- Tool and Die Maker/Designer
- Electronic Die Maker
- Die Cutter
- Tool and Die Maker Apprentice
Job Opportunities for Tool and Die Makers
There were about 72,500 jobs for Tool and Die Maker in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Tool and Die Maker. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 6,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Tool & Die Maker are North Dakota, Idaho, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Tool & Die Maker Salary
Tool and Die Makers make between $32,660 and $76,900 a year.
Tool and Die Makers who work in Connecticut, Kansas, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
How much do Tool and Die Makers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $52,400 |
| Arizona | $53,270 |
| Arkansas | $44,000 |
| California | $57,190 |
| Colorado | $49,140 |
| Connecticut | $63,660 |
| Florida | $49,030 |
| Georgia | $50,680 |
| Idaho | $48,360 |
| Illinois | $53,730 |
| Indiana | $52,740 |
| Iowa | $49,690 |
| Kansas | $62,240 |
| Kentucky | $56,600 |
| Louisiana | $42,970 |
| Maine | $56,360 |
| Maryland | $56,770 |
| Massachusetts | $54,360 |
| Michigan | $53,220 |
| Minnesota | $58,380 |
| Mississippi | $46,480 |
| Missouri | $54,420 |
| Nebraska | $51,250 |
| Nevada | $57,790 |
| New Hampshire | $54,160 |
| New Jersey | $55,680 |
| New York | $53,290 |
| North Carolina | $49,780 |
| North Dakota | $55,680 |
| Ohio | $51,560 |
| Oklahoma | $57,860 |
| Oregon | $61,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,690 |
| Rhode Island | $52,340 |
| South Carolina | $52,440 |
| South Dakota | $42,460 |
| Tennessee | $46,490 |
| Texas | $50,340 |
| Utah | $55,510 |
| Vermont | $54,840 |
| Virginia | $53,770 |
| West Virginia | $55,580 |
| Wisconsin | $50,050 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Tool and Die Makers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Tool and Die Makers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Bentley Microstation
- PTC Creo Parametric
- Autodesk Inventor
- 1CadCam Unigraphics
- CNC Mastercam
- DP Technology ESPRIT
- Virtual Gibbs CADD/CAM
How to Become a Tool & Die Maker
What kind of Tool and Die Maker requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Tool and Die Makers Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Tool and Die Makers work:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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