Tool and Die Makers pay in California

In California, the median pay for tool and die makers is $37.04 an hour ($77,030 a year). About 1,790 people work in this job there.

$37.04Median hourly pay

$54,640–$92,510Middle half of workers, yearly

1,790People in this job in California

That is 20% higher than the U.S. median ($64,050). California ranks 5th of 45 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for tool and die makers in California

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$21.97	$45,710
25% of workers	$26.27	$54,640
Half of workers (median)	$37.04	$77,030
75% of workers	$44.47	$92,510
90% of workers	$50.12	$104,260

Tool and Die Makers pay in California metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont	$97,560	130
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad	$85,010	100
Stockton-Lodi	$82,820	40
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim	$78,020	950
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura	$72,390	50
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario	$62,690	280
Modesto	$52,300	40

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for tool and die makers

Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: -9.2% over ten years, declining · about 4,300 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in California

Job	Median yearly pay
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$48,450
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	$46,370
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$46,810
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$60,180
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$59,050
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand	$44,450
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$59,250
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners	$51,300

Other job titles for this job

Tool MakerTool RepairerTool and Die MachinistTooling TechnicianTooling TechBench Tool MakerBroach SetterCam MakerCarbide Tool MakerCutlery and Tools Saw MakerDie AssemblerDie Baker

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.