What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Tool and Die Makers in the U.S. earn more than $64,050 a year — the middle 80% land between $44,680 and $92,680. About 56,930 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Tool and Die Makers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$64,050typical pay / year
56,930people in this work
$92,680+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make2
Set up machine tools
+Set up the milling and lathe for the A-series punch run: fit the 12mm collets, install the HSS endmill,…
Set up machine tools
+Set up the milling and lathe for the A-series punch run: fit the 12mm collets, install the HSS endmill, square and dial the vice to 0.02mm, load the program for the lot, verify coolant and chip evacuation, then sign the setup log.
The tools that do the work1CadCam UnigraphicsESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Create precision tools and dies
+Make the D45 trimming die: mill the cavity to print dimensions, harden the cutting face to 58 HRC, grind the…
Create precision tools and dies
+Make the D45 trimming die: mill the cavity to print dimensions, harden the cutting face to 58 HRC, grind the punch to the 0.01mm runout tolerance, assemble with guide pillars, then run a first-article scrap to confirm fit.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Analysing2
Measure and mark metal stock
+Measure and mark the 150mm bar for the B-plate: scribe the centreline, transfer hole locations with the…
Measure and mark metal stock
+Measure and mark the 150mm bar for the B-plate: scribe the centreline, transfer hole locations with the template, punch the drill centres, verify critical offsets with the micrometer and height gauge, and note any stock scrap to the foreman.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Finish and adjust parts
+Finish the carrier plate parts from yesterday: deburr all edges to remove sharp flash, lap the mating faces…
Finish and adjust parts
+Finish the carrier plate parts from yesterday: deburr all edges to remove sharp flash, lap the mating faces until they meet the .005mm flatness spec, test-assemble, adjust the locator pin length, then log measurements and clear the parts for shipment.
The tools that do the workAutodesk Inventorjob descriptionsO*NET
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Convincing1
Follow tooling instructions
+Follow the tooling instructions on job 782: read the sequence notes, set the tool offsets to the written…
Follow tooling instructions
+Follow the tooling instructions on job 782: read the sequence notes, set the tool offsets to the written values, confirm the feed and speed schedule on the sheet, check fixtures match the drawing, then initial the instruction page to confirm compliance.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOWikipedia
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Protecting1
Select appropriate materials for tool manufacturing
+Select steel for the die set: compare the wear and toughness requirements on the spec, pick A2 for cutting…
Select appropriate materials for tool manufacturing
+Select steel for the die set: compare the wear and toughness requirements on the spec, pick A2 for cutting edges and S7 for shock locations, order the certified bar lengths, and record heat-treatment needs before releasing the purchase request.
The tools that do the workSAPO*NETWikipedia
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The daily work14
Cutting technologies
+Set up the milling cutter and plasma torch for the new batch, verify tool offsets and coolant flow, cut the…
Cutting technologies
+Set up the milling cutter and plasma torch for the new batch, verify tool offsets and coolant flow, cut the heat-treated blanks to net size using the high-speed strategy, collect and bag steel swarf for scrap disposal, and log cycle times for the shift sheet.
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Remove inadequate workpieces
+Inspect the suspect parts from run C12, mark and remove the warped workpieces from the fixture, measure…
Remove inadequate workpieces
+Inspect the suspect parts from run C12, mark and remove the warped workpieces from the fixture, measure rejected tolerances and record the readings on the inspection sheet, quarantine the rejects in the red bin, and schedule a regrind or recycle operation with maintenance.
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Develop and design new tools and dies, using computer-aided design software.
+Design a new progressive die for the 0.8 mm stainless fastener run, model the die set, detail critical…
Develop and design new tools and dies, using computer-aided design software.
+Design a new progressive die for the 0.8 mm stainless fastener run, model the die set, detail critical tolerances and cutting clearances, and export a parts list so maintenance can confirm tooling and spare availability by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksO*NET
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Set pyrometer controls of heat-treating furnaces and feed or place parts, tools, or assemblies into furnaces to harden.
+Set the pyrometer schedule and target soak temperatures for the lot of hardened punches, load the fixtures…
Set pyrometer controls of heat-treating furnaces and feed or place parts, tools, or assemblies into furnaces to harden.
+Set the pyrometer schedule and target soak temperatures for the lot of hardened punches, load the fixtures with the marked punch set, record cycle start and finish, and notify heat-treat tech Lee if any soak deviates more than 10°C.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Translate drawings into hardware
+Produce machining prints from the new assembly drawing for five lifter pins, generate tooling offsets and…
Translate drawings into hardware
+Produce machining prints from the new assembly drawing for five lifter pins, generate tooling offsets and sequence notes, and hand the prints to the machine shop with a list of critical dimensions to inspect first thing tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the workAutodesk Inventorjob descriptions
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Cut and shape metal components
+Mill and turn the bracket halves to the drawing dimensions using the programmed feeds, deburr all edges,…
Cut and shape metal components
+Mill and turn the bracket halves to the drawing dimensions using the programmed feeds, deburr all edges, check flatness and concentricity to plus/minus 0.01 mm, and tag finished parts for QC pickup before shift end.
The tools that do the work1CadCam Unigraphicsjob descriptions
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Document procedures and maintenance activities
+Write the weekly maintenance log for the punch press, include yesterday's oil change, shim adjustments, and…
Document procedures and maintenance activities
+Write the weekly maintenance log for the punch press, include yesterday's oil change, shim adjustments, and the new grinding interval, attach the safety checklist, and file it in the equipment folder so procurement can see next spare orders.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Collaborate with engineers to improve tool design
+Review the prototype die with engineer Mark, note three change requests for runner radii and ejector timing,…
Collaborate with engineers to improve tool design
+Review the prototype die with engineer Mark, note three change requests for runner radii and ejector timing, sketch the revisions, estimate material and two extra hours of shop time, and send the update to Mark before his 3 pm design review.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADWikipedia
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Use metalworking tools
+Set up the knee mill and toolpost lathe for the die blank: fit the end mill and turning tool called out on…
Use metalworking tools
+Set up the knee mill and toolpost lathe for the die blank: fit the end mill and turning tool called out on the drawing, set spindle speeds and feeds for 4140 steel, zero the DROs to the datum, and cut the first rough pass, checking for chatter.
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Ensure equipment maintenance
+Walk the pressroom, inspect the hydraulic press, drill press and grinder for leaks, loose guards, worn belts…
Ensure equipment maintenance
+Walk the pressroom, inspect the hydraulic press, drill press and grinder for leaks, loose guards, worn belts and coolant levels, log any faults I find, tag defective machines out of service, and order replacement seals and belts before Friday morning.
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Ensure equipment availability
+Check the schedule against the tool crib: confirm which dies need the CNC mill this week, reserve the mill…
Ensure equipment availability
+Check the schedule against the tool crib: confirm which dies need the CNC mill this week, reserve the mill and jig fixture slots for Tuesday and Thursday, and move noncritical fixtures back a day so both parts runs can finish on time.
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Dispose of cutting waste material
+Collect the swarf and spent cutting oil from the benches, separate steel turnings into the labelled drum,…
Dispose of cutting waste material
+Collect the swarf and spent cutting oil from the benches, separate steel turnings into the labelled drum, wipe down the coolant trough, run the chip conveyor, and put the filled drum by the yard for the scrap contractor pickup on Friday.
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Apply precision metalworking techniques
+Fit the 0–1 micrometer, dial test indicator and height gauge, clean the job and reference surfaces, take…
Apply precision metalworking techniques
+Fit the 0–1 micrometer, dial test indicator and height gauge, clean the job and reference surfaces, take three radial and axial readings to the print tolerances, record the deviations, and flag any out-of-spec features before heat treat.
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Operate precision measuring equipment
+Calibrate the CMM probe and bore gauge, run the programmed probe path on the sample die, capture the feature…
Operate precision measuring equipment
+Calibrate the CMM probe and bore gauge, run the programmed probe path on the sample die, capture the feature points, export the measurement report, and circulate it to production and engineering for sign-off.
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Says who?
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses