California Median
$77,030
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $64,050
State Rank
#5 of 45
1,790 employed here
How much do Tool and Die Makers make in California?
Tool and Die Makers working in California earn a median salary of $77,030 per year, or about $37.03 per hour. That is 20% above the national median of $64,050 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $45,710 while the top 10% make $104,260 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,640 and $92,510 a year.
Tool and Die Makers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,710 | $21.98 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $54,640 | $26.27 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,030 | $37.03 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $92,510 | $44.48 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,260 | $50.13 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 45 states and territories for Tool and Die Makers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Tool and Die Makers salary in other states
Washington $109,390Kansas $83,890Maine $79,910Connecticut $77,540New Jersey $74,460Oregon $73,930North Dakota $73,130Minnesota $71,020New Hampshire $69,910Vermont $69,300Nebraska $69,150Wisconsin $68,120New York $68,080Indiana $68,050Massachusetts $67,230Kentucky $66,570Oklahoma $65,870Michigan $65,590South Carolina $65,250Iowa $65,000Alabama $64,800Virginia $64,050Florida $63,890Colorado $63,800Rhode Island $63,430Ohio $62,280Nevada $61,350Illinois $61,170Pennsylvania $61,160North Carolina $61,060Missouri $60,810Tennessee $60,760Georgia $60,020South Dakota $59,770Arizona $59,140Maryland $58,110Mississippi $57,980Idaho $57,800Arkansas $56,840Utah $56,740Texas $55,470New Mexico $47,960Louisiana $46,950West Virginia $46,190
Working as Tool and Die Makers in California
Nationally, about 57,000 people work as Tool and Die Makers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($77,030) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Tool and Die Makers make in California?
The median Tool and Die Makers salary in California is $77,030 per year, or about $37.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,710 at the entry level to $104,260 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Tool and Die Makers about 20% more than the national median of $64,050. California ranks 5th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Tool and Die Makers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $77,030 a year. About 1,790 Tool and Die Makers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Tool and Die Makers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.