Hiring guide · Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing
How to Hire a Tool and Die Maker
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring tool and die makers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $64,050), recruit through technical college automotive, diesel, aviation and machining programs, verify NIMS credentials where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for tool and die makers
There are about 56,700 tool and die makers employed in the U.S., with roughly 4,300 openings each year. Employment is projected to change -9.2% from 2025–35 (a projected decline). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $44,680–$51,490 | $21.48–$24.75 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $64,050 | $30.79 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $92,680 | $44.56 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Postsecondary nondegree award (typical entry level)
- Precision machining
- Patience
Nice-to-haves
- NIMS credentials
- Apprenticeship completion
- GD&T certification
- Experience with manual and CNC mills and lathes
Where to find tool and die makers
- Technical college automotive, diesel, aviation and machining programs
- Manufacturer and dealer training programs
- Military transition and SkillBridge programs
- Manufacturing career fairs and referrals
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Toolmaker, Die Maker, Mold Maker, Precision Toolmaker
Screening checklist
- ASE, FAA A&P, NIMS or other credentials as applicable
- A hands-on diagnostic, measurement or setup test
- Tool inventory for roles where technicians supply tools
- Safety record and lockout/tagout knowledge
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “What machines can you run?”
What a strong answer includes: List manual, CNC, grinding and EDM experience.
2. “How do you hold tight tolerances?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention setup, temperature and measurement.
3. “Describe a tooling problem you solved.”
What a strong answer includes: Explain your process and the result.
4. “Can you read GD&T?”
What a strong answer includes: Give examples.
5. “How do you prioritize emergency repairs?”
What a strong answer includes: Talk about production impact and communication.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Surface Grind a Die Section to Size (see the steps)
- Set Up a Wire EDM Cut (see the steps)
- Try Out a Repaired Die (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Die, Progressive die, Mold
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Tool and Die Maker 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Tool and Die Maker training. Show them the path forward: Machinist or Apprentice → Tool and Die Maker → Lead Toolmaker or Mold Designer → Tool Room Supervisor or Tooling Engineer.
Hiring tool and die makers: FAQ
How much should I pay a tool and die maker?
The U.S. median wage for tool and die makers is $64,050 per year ($30.79/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($51,490), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($78,770). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a tool and die maker have?
BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education. Look for NIMS credentials and Apprenticeship completion where relevant, plus skills such as precision machining, wire and sinker edm, and surface and cylindrical grinding.
How long does it take to train a new tool and die maker?
Becoming qualified typically takes 4 years (apprenticeship). After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “long-term on-the-job training.”