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Tool and Die Maker
Skilled TradesYou build the precision tools, dies, jigs, and fixtures that factories use to mass-produce parts. You're the machinist's machinist — working to tolerances of 0.0001 inches on machines that cost more than most houses. Every automotive part, appliance component, and metal widget in your life was shaped by a tool that someone like you built. The work is exacting, the pay is strong, and the skill takes a decade to master.
Salary Range
Low
$40k
Median
$58k
High
$80k
10-Year Growth
slower than average
US Workers
63K
Education
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) or trade school + years of CNC and manual machining experience
Environment
indoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸CNC programming and operation (lathes, mills, grinders)
- ▸Manual machining (lathe, mill, surface grinder)
- ▸GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
- ▸CAD/CAM software (Mastercam, SolidWorks)
- ▸Precision measurement (CMM, micrometers, gauge blocks)
- ▸Progressive die design and troubleshooting
- ▸Heat treatment and metallurgy basics
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Extreme precision and patience
- ▸Analytical thinking
- ▸Quality-focused mindset
- ▸Self-directed work
- ▸Continuous skill development
What you'll actually do
- 01Machine precision components on lathes, mills, and grinders to tolerances that most people can't even see
- 02Read and interpret engineering drawings that specify every dimension, tolerance, and surface finish
- 03Set up and program CNC machines while also maintaining the hand skills to finish work manually
- 04Build progressive dies for stamping operations where each station must align perfectly or scrap thousands of parts
- 05Troubleshoot production tooling that's wearing out and adjust before quality goes off the cliff
- 06Measure everything with micrometers, gauges, and CMMs because 'close enough' doesn't exist in this trade
Related Shifts
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