Tool and Die Makers Salary
In Washington, tool and die makers earn $109,390 at the median, or about $52.59 an hour. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $117K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $107,235 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 25% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $109K get you in Washington?
About tool and die makers
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for tool and die makers, local pay runs about 71% higher than the U.S. median of $64K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) 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, Washington
Entry-level tool and die makers (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $109K. Top earners bring in $117K or more, a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Tool and Die Makers salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $117K | +7% | 1,090 |
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Track tool and die makers salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
Can a tool and die maker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $109K, rent takes 25.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for tool and die makers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new tool and die makers typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,514/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 52% 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 Washington?
Local pay is 71% above the national median — $109K here vs. $64K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for tool and die makers?
Washington pays $109K median vs. the U.S. average of $64K — that’s +71%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $107K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do tool and die makers make in Washington?
The median is $109,390 a year, that works out to about $53 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,560, and experienced tool and die makers can clear $116,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $109K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,112/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 25.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a tool and die makers salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $107,235 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.