Career: Tool and Die Makers
Talk about tools of the trade: Tool and die makers use tools to make tools and other devices used in machines that make all kinds of products, from furniture to aircraft parts.
They also make cutting tools (such as saws) and metal molds for die-casting and for molding plastics and ceramics. One of the most highly skilled jobs in manufacturing, tool and die work requires razor-sharp precision.
Tool and die makers make the tools that machinists, welders, and sheet metal workers use. They also make parts for cars, planes, and metalworking machines.
Did You Know?
- Most tool and die making jobs are in the Midwest, the Northeast, and the West.
Are You Ready To...?
- Master metal
- Work from blueprints
- Make exact measurements
- Operate machinery
- Cut, file, grind, finish, polish, and coat
- Use computers
- Spend long hours on your feet
It Helps to Be...
Strong in math and mechanics. Excellent eyesight and attention to detail is also important, because you’ll need to be able to look at something and know that it’s off by just a hair (literally).
Make High School Count
- Work hard in math. Tool and die makers have to follow unbelievably precise measurements, down to the ten-thousandth of an inch.
- Metal shop will give you a head start in working with metals. You’ll also get practice following detailed instructions.
- Take computer classes, and learn any design software you can: Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software is commonly used in this line of work.
Did You Know?
- The best money in this field usually goes to those who work for car makers.
Outlook
Jobs for tool and die makers are expected to decline rapidly through 2016, according to government economists. One reason is foreign competition. Another is new technology that makes each tool and die maker more productive. But the employment outlook is still excellent, because the number of job openings is larger than the number of workers with proper training.
Compensation
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, tool and die makers earned an average salary of $46,520 in 2007. Those who go into management or start their own shops earn more.
