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Occupation · SOC 51-4111

Tool and Die Makers

There are 56,930 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $64,050 a year. The most jobs are in Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MI.

ProductionTypical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
56,930
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$64,050
Median pay a year
Middle half: $51,490–$78,770
4,300
Annual openings
10-year change: −9.2%
0
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 167 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $73,120 · LCA filings 04,900$73,1200
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $61,180 · LCA filings 03,750$61,1800
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MIMedian pay $64,650 · LCA filings 01,540$64,6500
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $64,070 · LCA filings 01,280$64,0700
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $116,850 · LCA filings 01,090$116,8500
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $78,020 · LCA filings 0950$78,0200
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $74,840 · LCA filings 0930$74,8400
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WIMedian pay $68,120 · LCA filings 0830$68,1200
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay $69,210 · LCA filings 0810$69,2100
Hartford–West Hartford–East Hartford, CTMedian pay $78,060 · LCA filings 0770$78,0600

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 1,090 · LCA filings 0$116,8501,0900
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$97,5601300
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$87,240600
Kansas City, MO–KSEmployment 450 · LCA filings 0$85,7404500
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$85,0101000

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $61,277 · Level III $71,032 · Level IV $80,766$51,542$61,277$71,032$80,766
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $52,541 · Level III $61,734 · Level IV $70,949$43,326$52,541$61,734$70,949
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MILevel II $57,637 · Level III $66,102 · Level IV $74,568$49,171$57,637$66,102$74,568
Cleveland, OHLevel II $55,910 · Level III $65,146 · Level IV $74,402$46,654$55,910$65,146$74,402
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $98,384 · Level III $107,411 · Level IV $116,438$89,357$98,384$107,411$116,438
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $62,858 · Level III $75,442 · Level IV $88,005$50,294$62,858$75,442$88,005
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $64,106 · Level III $72,966 · Level IV $81,848$55,224$64,106$72,966$81,848
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WILevel II $59,592 · Level III $68,182 · Level IV $76,752$51,022$59,592$68,182$76,752
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $60,382 · Level III $69,618 · Level IV $78,832$51,168$60,382$69,618$78,832
Hartford–West Hartford–East Hartford, CTLevel II $65,354 · Level III $76,024 · Level IV $86,715$54,662$65,354$76,024$86,715

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months

See Tool and Die Makers in every metro area

All 167 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology