Tool and Die Makers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, tool and die makers earn $98,080 at the median — $47.15 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $120K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $88,824 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 56.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $98K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About tool and die makers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level tool and die makers (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $98K.Top earners bring in $120K or more - a $69K spread from bottom to top.
Tool and Die Makers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $81K | +29% | 750 |
| Washington | $78K | +24% | 1,200 |
| California | $78K | +23% | 1,380 |
| Maine | $77K | +21% | 70 |
| Connecticut | $76K | +21% | 1,800 |
| New Jersey | $76K | +20% | 620 |
| Oregon | $70K | +10% | 370 |
| New Hampshire | $68K | +8% | 260 |
| New York | $68K | +7% | 1,460 |
| Arizona | $68K | +7% | 260 |
| Utah | $67K | +6% | 140 |
| South Carolina | $66K | +5% | 720 |
| North Dakota | $66K | +4% | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $66K | +4% | 2,970 |
| Massachusetts | $66K | +4% | 950 |
Track tool and die makers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tool and die makers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $98,080 a year - that works out to about $47.15 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,450, and experienced tool and die makers can clear $119,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $98K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,011/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 57.9% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $88,824 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.