Tool and Die Makers Salary
In West Virginia, tool and die makers earn $46,190 at the median, or about $22.21 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.03), which stretches that salary to about $51,881 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,008/month, about 32% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of West Virginia. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $46K get you in West Virginia?
About tool and die makers
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What this looks like in West Virginia
Pay for tool and die makers in West Virginia runs about 28% below the U.S. median of $64K. Rent runs $1,008/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.03 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, West Virginia
Entry-level tool and die makers (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K. Top earners bring in $66K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track tool and die makers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when West Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a tool and die maker afford a 2BR apartment alone in West Virginia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $46K, rent takes 32.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,008/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/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 West Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new tool and die makers typically earn — is $35K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,125/month. At HUD’s $1,008/month FMR, rent would take 47% 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 West Virginia?
Local pay runs 28% below the national median — $46K here vs. $64K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average for tool and die makers?
West Virginia pays $46K median vs. the U.S. average of $64K — that’s -28%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.03), the purchasing-power equivalent is $52K — below the national median.
How much do tool and die makers make in West Virginia?
The median is $46,190 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,410, and experienced tool and die makers can clear $65,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,135/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,008/month, which eats 32.2% 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.03 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median tool and die makers salary is worth about $51,881 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.