Tool and Die Makers
SOC Code: 51-4111 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Tool and Die Makers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $58,240 | $74,048 | $89,877 | $105,685 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $60,070 | $73,882 | $87,672 | $101,483 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $60,029 | $73,819 | $87,589 | $101,379 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $59,675 | $73,320 | $86,965 | $100,610 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $54,142 | $69,347 | $84,552 | $99,757 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $53,726 | $68,474 | $83,200 | $97,947 |
| Yakima, WA | $57,886 | $70,990 | $84,094 | $97,198 |
| Salinas, CA | $51,397 | $66,435 | $81,494 | $96,533 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $53,373 | $67,662 | $81,973 | $96,262 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $54,226 | $67,870 | $81,515 | $95,160 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.2 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.2 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Time Management | 3.1 | |
| Equipment Selection | 3.1 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | 4.5 |
| Mathematics | 3.5 |
| Production and Processing | 3.5 |
| Design | 3.4 |
| English Language | 3.0 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2.9 |
| Education and Training | 2.8 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.6 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Some college | 40.9% |
| High school diploma | 39.6% |
| Associate's degree | 9.9% |
| Less than high school | 9.7% |
Typical Tasks
- Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
- Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
- Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
- Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.
- File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together.
- Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary.
- Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
- Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Autodesk AutoCAD Bentley MicroStation Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Word SAP software 1CadCam Unigraphics Autodesk Inventor CNC Mastercam Cimatron CimatronE Master DP Technology ESPRIT
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