Tool and Die Makers Salary
In Connecticut, tool and die makers earn $77,540 at the median, or about $37.28 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.88), that's roughly $75,369 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,679/month, about 33.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Connecticut. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $78K get you in Connecticut?
About tool and die makers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Connecticut
Connecticut sits well above the national pay line for tool and die makers, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $64K. Rent runs $1,679/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.88) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Connecticut
Entry-level tool and die makers (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $52K spread from bottom to top.
Tool and Die Makers salary by metro in Connecticut
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | $79K | +2% | 60 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | $79K | +2% | 170 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | $78K | +1% | 770 |
| New Haven | $77K | -0% | 230 |
| Waterbury-Shelton | $76K | -1% | 550 |
Compare to other states
Track tool and die makers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Connecticut numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
Can a tool and die maker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Connecticut?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 34.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,679/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,500/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for tool and die makers in Connecticut?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new tool and die makers typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,866/month. At HUD’s $1,679/month FMR, rent would take 59% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is tool and die maker a high-paying job in Connecticut?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $78K here vs. $64K nationally.
How does Connecticut compare to the national average for tool and die makers?
Connecticut pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $64K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $75K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do tool and die makers make in Connecticut?
The median is $77,540 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,770, and experienced tool and die makers can clear $100,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Connecticut?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,927/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,679/month, which eats 34.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a tool and die makers salary go in Connecticut?
Connecticut has a Regional Price Parity of 102.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median tool and die makers salary is worth about $75,369 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do tool and die makers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.