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What is a tool and die machinist and how to become one
Avg. Salary $46,227
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 1%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.54%
Asian 7.15%
Black or African American 5.04%
Hispanic or Latino 11.09%
Unknown 3.76%
White 72.40%
Genderfemale 5.07%
male 94.93%
Age - 49American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 49Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Tool and die machinist career paths
Key steps to become a tool and die machinist
Explore tool and die machinist education requirements
Start to develop specific tool and die machinist skills
Skills Percentages Grinders 13.69% Hand Tools 8.69% Jigs 8.68% Troubleshoot 6.87% Manual Lathes 6.36% Complete relevant tool and die machinist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New tool and die machinists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a tool and die machinist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real tool and die machinist resumes.Research tool and die machinist duties and responsibilities
- Operate milling machines, grinders, screw machines, CNC's, drill press, hydraulic press.
- Use MIG welder when need.
- Lift and position workpieces with hoists.
- Use of TIG and stick welding for tool manufacture.
Prepare your tool and die machinist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your tool and die machinist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a tool and die machinist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable tool and die machinist resume templates
Build a professional tool and die machinist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your tool and die machinist resume.
Apply for tool and die machinist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a tool and die machinist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first tool and die machinist job
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Average tool and die machinist salary
The average tool and die machinist salary in the United States is $46,227 per year or $22 per hour. Tool and die machinist salaries range between $33,000 and $63,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do tool and die machinists rate their job?
Tool and die machinist reviews
I love the work. Lots of job satisfaction. Steady work. 45yrs with the same company. I love it!
Time pressure to complete jobs. Massive overtime!
Constant Challenge making each day unique and fun. Not hard physical labor but mentally challenging. Constantly evolving skillset in an industry that is always changing and growing.
Some places are straight production shops and there will be limited opportunities to grow in them. When you make a mistake it can be huge and cost 10s of thousands of dollars to fix so you are often on edge.
Working with Cad softwares and seeing the final product when the tool is complete.
Sitting behind computer all day.
Updated January 8, 2025
