Tool and Die Makers
Production
Plans the sequence from a blueprint or model, then machines and fits the metal that becomes dies, jigs, fixtures, and gauges. Lathes, mills, and grinders—conventional or computer-controlled—cut, bore, and grind parts to the sizes and finishes specified; pieces are then assembled with hand tools or a welder. Dimensions and clearances are checked with calipers, micrometers, gauge blocks, or dial indicators, and finished dies are inspected for smoothness, contour, and defects. Metals are chosen for hardness or heat tolerance, and parts are lifted and clamped on worktables with hoists or vises. Suits people who like precise, hands-on machining, close measurement, and turning drawings into working tools.
Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate (vocational/technical)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$64'050
Median Wage Market Position
$64'050
What you might do
- Cut and grind parts to the required sizes
- Fit and assemble dies, jigs, and gauges
- Measure parts with calipers and micrometers
- Study blueprints to plan the work sequence
- Inspect finished dies for smoothness and defects
- Choose metals by hardness and heat tolerance
Skills that matter
- Computing sizes and tolerances from drawings
- Running lathes, mills, and grinders
- Choosing metals by hardness and heat tolerance
- Fitting parts into dies and jigs
- Checking alignments with calipers and micrometers
- Planning the order of machining steps
AI & the future of this role
Custom tooling and die repair depend on fine fitting, tight tolerances, and shop judgment that are hard to fully automate. Design software may speed patterning and machining, yet one-off fixtures and troubleshooting tend to keep skilled hands essential.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details