Tool and Die Makers
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.
About the profession
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.
How to Get Started
Take a personality test to see if Tool and Die Makers fits your profile
Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
Jump to Career Path →Start learning — check the Learning Path for free courses
Jump to Learning Path →Personality Fit
Based on the Tool and Die Makers role, here are the RIASEC personality types that tend to thrive in this career. While these alignments are common, individual success depends on motivation, skill development, and finding the right work environment.
Enterprising
Leading, persuading, business
Social
Helping, teaching, working with people
Conventional
Organizing, detail-oriented, structured
Not sure if these types match you? Take the full RIASEC assessment (12-15 min) to discover your personality profile and see how it aligns with hundreds of careers.
Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Junior Tool and Die Maker → Practitioner Tool and Die Maker → Senior Practitioner Tool and Die Maker → Lead Tool and Die Maker
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
82K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $40,560 - $50,850/year With equity/bonuses: $44,616 - $61,020 Top markets (SF/NYC): $46,644 - $61,020 Execute core tasks using Operations…
Day in Life
Junior vs Senior, daily schedule breakdown
9am, Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or…
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $28,392 - $45,765 Year 2-3: Junior level $50,850 - $58,083 Year 4-6: Mid level $58,083 - $62,974 Year 7-10: Senior level $62,974 - $75,002 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions, answer honestly
You find the craft of a Tool and Die Maker genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with Operations Monitoring and Operation and Control You communicate…
💰 Salary Range
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Related Reading
Related Holland / RIASEC Types