Occupation Profile

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Tool and Die Makers
(SOC Code : 51-4111)
in California

Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.

Employers usually expect an employee in this occupation to be able to do the job after Long-term on-the-job training (> 12 months) .
Occupational Wages[Top]
AreaYearPeriodHourly MeanHourly by Percentile
25thMedian75th
California 20231st Qtr$34.40$26.36$33.56$40.68

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")[Top]
 AreaEstimated Year-Projected YearEmploymentEmployment ChangeTotal Job Openings
EstimatedProjectedNumberPercent
California 2018 - 20283,0002,800-200-6.72,670

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Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange[Top]
 
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Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)[Top]
Industry Title
Number of Employers in State of California
Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California
Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing 53717.0%
Machine Shops; Turned Product; a3,44511.3%
Aerospace Product and Parts Manu6049.8%
Plastics and Rubber Products Manuf1,2868.3%
Primary Metal Manufacturing 6394.5%
Medical Equipment and Supplies M2,5533.7%
Other General Purpose Machinery Mfg 1,0022.7%
Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component 1,6542.5%
Architectural and Structural Met1,7521.8%
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, a1,1131.5%
Architectural, Engineering, and Re18,7071.3%
Other Fabricated Metal Product Mfg 1,1021.0%

About Staffing Patterns
 
Training Programs (click on title for more information)[Top]
Program Title
Tool and Die Technology/Technician

About Training & Apprenticeships
 
About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)[Top]
Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)
Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, and dial indicators.
Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.
Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools and hand tools.
Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary.
File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together.
Select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness and heat tolerance.
Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.

More Tasks for Tool and Die Makers

Top Skills used in this Job
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others` actions.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

More Skills for Tool and Die Makers

Data for Abilities not available.

More Abilities for Tool and Die Makers

Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)
Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.
Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions.

More WorkValues for Tool and Die Makers

Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

More Interests for Tool and Die Makers

Alternate Titles
Bench Stamping Die Makers; Bench Tool Makers; Die Casting and Plastic Molding Mold Makers; Die Finishers; Die Sinkers; Plastic Fixture Builders; Plastic Tool Makers; Saw Makers; Stamping Die Makers; Tap and Die Maker Technicians; Tool and Die Machinists; Tool Makers; Trim Die Makers; Wire Drawing Die Makers
 
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