Tool and Die Makers in Washington
Considering working as a Tool and Die Makers in Washington? Below are the key facts. 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.
What do Tool and Die Makers Make in Washington?
For a tool and die makers working in Washington, the median annual wage is $78,310 per year (or about $37.65/hour).Pay can range from $53,290 at the 10th percentile to $108,160 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,290 | $25.62 |
| 25th percentile | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Median (50th) | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| 75th percentile | $103,200 | $49.61 |
| 90th percentile | $108,160 | $52.00 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Washington relative to the national average — is 0.95.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, tool and die makers earn a median of $46,356 per year ($22.29/hour), higher than the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 499,911 tool and die makers nationwide. In Washington alone, approximately 1,200 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 720 tool and die makers.
Top Washington Metros for Tool and Die Makers
The metro areas below employ the most tool and die makers in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 840 | $103,200 |
Top States for Tool and Die Makers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most tool and die makers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 9,190 |
| Ohio | 5,460 |
| Illinois | 4,590 |
| Indiana | 3,580 |
| Wisconsin | 2,970 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,910 |
| Tennessee | 2,180 |
| Kentucky | 2,100 |
| Connecticut | 1,800 |
| Missouri | 1,680 |
| Texas | 1,550 |
| North Carolina | 1,480 |
| New York | 1,460 |
| California | 1,380 |
| Washington | 1,200 |
| Minnesota | 1,060 |
| Massachusetts | 950 |
| Alabama | 870 |
| Georgia | 760 |
| Kansas | 750 |
Highest-Paying States for Tool and Die Makers
Where tool and die makers earn the most: tool and die makers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas | $81,230 |
| Washington | $78,310 |
| California | $77,800 |
| Maine | $76,500 |
| Connecticut | $76,310 |
| New Jersey | $75,920 |
| Oregon | $69,580 |
| New Hampshire | $68,210 |
| New York | $67,790 |
| Arizona | $67,580 |
Skills
Top tool and die makers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for tool and die makers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, tool and die makers typically:
- 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.
- Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
- Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
- Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools, hand tools, or welders.
- Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
- Select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness or heat tolerance.
- Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
- File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together.
- Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.
- Measure, mark, and scribe metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, or rulers.
- Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Thinking Creatively
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Handling and Moving Objects
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, Bentley MicroStation
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Precision Metal Working
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to tool and die makers include:
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also Known As
Bench Tool Maker, Broach Setter, Cam Maker, Carbide Operator, Carbide Tool Maker, Cutlery and Tools Saw Maker, Die Assembler, Die Baker, Die Cutter, Die Designer, Die Finisher, Die Machinist, Die Maker, Die Mechanic, Die Repair Laborer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-4111.00
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