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Tool & Die Technology

Types of Degrees Tool & Die Technology Majors Are Earning

Students pursuing Tool & Die Technology can earn degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	163
Associate’s Degree	182
Master’s Degree	164

What Tool & Die Technology Majors Need to Know

Studies in Tool & Die Technology develop a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Tool & Die Technology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

This major prepares you for careers needing Tool & Die Technology emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Mechanical — Importance 4.5 / 5; level 5.2 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Production and Processing — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Design — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 2.9 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set developed in a Tool & Die Technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Operation and Control — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Quality Control Analysis — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3 / 7.
• Judgment and Decision Making — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3 / 7.
• Monitoring — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3 / 7.

Abilities

Innate abilities most relevant to Tool & Die Technology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Visualization — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Near Vision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3 / 7.
• Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Control Precision — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Tool & Die Technology graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Getting Information	4.5 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.1 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.8 / 7
Thinking Creatively	3.8 / 7
Controlling Machines and Processes	3.8 / 7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.8 / 7
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	3.7 / 7
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	3.7 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	3.6 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.6 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Tool & Die Technology professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Kubotek USA KeyCreator	Computer aided design CAD software	—
DP Technology ESPRIT	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Microsoft Project	Project management software	—
MAKER CAD/CAM Services DIEMAKER	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Cimatron CimatronE Master	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Seco Tools Seco Point	Inventory management software	—
Logopress	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Bentley MicroStation	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Virtual Gibbs CADD/CAM	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	—
JobPack MES Scheduler	Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Tool & Die Technology graduates include:

• Sawsmith
• Saw Maker
• Hub Cutter
• Die Try Out Worker
• Bench Tool Maker
• Tool Trouble Shooter
• Forcer Maker
• Tool Salvage Worker
• Electronic Die Maker
• Plastic Tool Maker
• Broach Setter
• Die Machinist
• Journeyman Tool and Die Maker
• Carbide Tool Maker
• Tool Maker

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Tool & Die Technology graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Postsecondary certificate	40.9%
High school diploma or equivalent	39.6%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	9.9%
Less than a high school diploma	9.7%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Tool & Die Technology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 92.9% of Tool & Die Technology degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	36	7.1%
Men	473	92.9%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Tool & Die Technology graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	339	66.6%
Asian	4	0.8%
Hispanic or Latino	120	23.6%
Black or African American	15	2.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	1	0.2%
Two or More Races	9	1.8%
Race Unknown	21	4.1%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Tool & Die Technology Graduates Earn?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Tool & Die Technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$33,800
4 years	$39,416
5 years	$44,203

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $44,203 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Tool & Die Technology Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Tool & Die Technology graduates earn a median of $39,416 four years after completion — roughly 4% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	CIP Code
Precision Metal Working	48.05
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist	48.0510
Ironworking/Ironworker	48.0509
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant	48.0503
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist	48.0501
Metal Fabricator	48.0511
Precision Metal Working, Other	48.0599
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking	48.0506
Welding Technology/Welder	48.0508

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.