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Salary comparison

Tool and Die Makers vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Tool and Die Makerss out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by $19K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Tool and Die Makerss land at $64,050 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss at $44,650. The education gap is real: tool and die maker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Tool and Die Makerss is Washington ($109,390); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Tool and Die Makers
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$64,050
$44,650
Hourly rate
$30.79/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$44,680
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$92,680
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
56,930
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Tool and Die Makers median pay.

State
Tool and Die Makers
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Washington
$109,390
$48,260
Maine
$79,910
$45,970
California
$77,030
$47,720
Oregon
$73,930
$46,910
North Dakota
$73,130
$47,250
Minnesota
$71,020
$46,920
New Hampshire
$69,910
$46,940
Wisconsin
$68,120
$45,670
Massachusetts
$67,230
$46,720
Kentucky
$66,570
$47,950
Iowa
$65,000
$48,920
Colorado
$63,800
$46,150
Ohio
$62,280
$45,720
Nevada
$61,350
$49,050
Missouri
$60,810
$46,480

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Tool and Die Makerss or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss?

Tool and Die Makerss earn more nationally. The median is $64,050 for Tool and Die Makerss versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss, a difference of $19K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Tool and Die Makers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Tool and Die Makers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Tool and Die Makers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Tool and Die Makerss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Tool and Die Makerss at $109,390/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Tool and Die Makers vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Tool and Die Makerss earn $109,390 vs. $48,260 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Tool and Die Makers salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Tool and Die Makerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by take-home payExplore →How to become a tool and die makersGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →