# Tool and Die Makers

> Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-4111.00
- **Summary:** Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.

## Aliases

- Tool Maker
- Tool and Die Machinist
- Tool and Die Maker
- Tool and Fixture Specialist
- Die Machinist
- Die Repair Laborer
- Die Repair Technician (Die Repair Tech)
- Jig and Fixture Repairer
- Tool Repairer
- Trim Die Maker
- Bench Tool Maker
- Broach Setter

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools, hand tools, or welders. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.d |
| Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness or heat tolerance. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.o |
| Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.o |
| Measure, mark, and scribe metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, or rulers. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |

## Emerging Tasks

| Text |
| --- |
| Troubleshoot malfunctions in manufacturing equipment. |

## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures. | 4.A.3.a.2.d |
| Operate welding equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |
| Repair parts or assemblies. | 4.A.3.b.4.b |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Operate metal or plastic forming equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Operate grinding equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Smooth metal surfaces or edges. | 4.A.3.a.2.o |
| Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Conduct test runs of production equipment. | 4.A.1.b.2.l |
| Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products. | 4.A.3.a.2.o |
| Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.h |
| Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools. | 4.A.3.a.2.g |
| Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Design tools, fixtures, or other devices for production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.2.c |
| Select production input materials. | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials. | 4.A.3.a.2.ad |
| Feed materials or products into or through equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 4.48 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.62 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.52 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.48 |
| Design | knowledge | 3.39 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.38 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.38 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.38 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.25 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.25 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.25 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Equipment Selection | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.12 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.12 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.12 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.03 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Equipment Maintenance | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 2.93 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 2.88 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Project | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| PTC Creo Parametric | Specialized Skill |
| Autodesk Inventor | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Project Management Software | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| Bentley MicroStation | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Project | Project management software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| 1CadCam Unigraphics | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| Autodesk Inventor | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Cimatron CimatronE Master | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| CNC Mastercam | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| Dassault Systemes CATIA | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| data M Software COPRA MetalBender | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| DP Technology ESPRIT | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| JobPack MES Scheduler | Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software | no | no |
| Kubotek USA KeyCreator | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Logopress | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| MAKER CAD/CAM Services DIEMAKER | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| NC verification software | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| OPEN MIND Technologies hyperMILL | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| PTC Creo Parametric | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Seco Tools Seco Point | Inventory management software | no | no |
| Striker Systems SS-Die Design | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Striker Systems SS-Draw Form | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Striker Systems SS-Strip Design | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Vero International VISI-Mould | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Virtual Gibbs CADD/CAM | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| VX Corporation VX Mold & Die | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 5 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.8 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.76 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.67 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.42 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 4.32 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.31 |
| Time Pressure | 4.29 |
| Contact With Others | 4.2 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.13 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.1 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.99 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.98 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.87 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.83 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.77 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3.43 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 3.24 |
| E-Mail | 3.23 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.22 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 3.2 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.16 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.1 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 2.99 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.96 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.9 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.87 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.82 |
| Telephone Conversations | 2.71 |
| Physical Proximity | 2.66 |
| Level of Competition | 2.56 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.52 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.47 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.31 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.31 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 2.14 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.13 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.08 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 2.02 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 2.01 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 3
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- **Experience:** Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- **Svp Range:** (6.0 to < 7.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 40.85 |
| High School Diploma | 39.61 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.87 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 9.67 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.94 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 4.99 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 4.54 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.19 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 4.03 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 3 |
| Dependability | work_style | 3 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.98 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 2.28 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 2.21 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 1.9 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 1.83 |
| Achievement Orientation | work_style | 1.74 |
| Perseverance | work_style | 1.64 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 1.63 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 1.59 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-4194.00 | role-51-4194-00 | Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | Primary-Short |
| 51-4061.00 | role-51-4061-00 | Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-9022.00 | role-51-9022-00 | Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | Primary-Short |
| 51-4035.00 | role-51-4035-00 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-4022.00 | role-51-4022-00 | Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-4031.00 | role-51-4031-00 | Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4081.00 | role-51-4081-00 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-7042.00 | role-51-7042-00 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | Primary-Long |
| 51-4062.00 | role-51-4062-00 | Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4034.00 | role-51-4034-00 | Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4033.00 | role-51-4033-00 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Supplemental |
| 51-4041.00 | role-51-4041-00 | Machinists | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Construction | construction |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Postsecondary nondegree award

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Precision Production | precision-production |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 63180
- **Mean Wage:** 65100
- **Pct10Wage:** 44200
- **Pct25Wage:** 51200
- **Pct75Wage:** 77430
- **Pct90Wage:** 87660
- **Employment:** 55130
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 51580 | 63390 | 11.3 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 1320 | 62350 | 14.21 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1060 | 42670 | 0.33 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 990 | 51610 | 0.46 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 860 | 39780 | 0.91 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 410 | 77370 | 0.11 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 270 | 68110 | 0.65 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 250 | 66020 | 0.25 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 100 | 53210 | 0.03 |
| 339910 | 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | National industry | 80 | 68410 |  |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 60 | 53340 |  |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 60 | 80480 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 1320 | 14.21 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 51580 | 11.3 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 860 | 0.91 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 270 | 0.65 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 990 | 0.46 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1060 | 0.33 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 250 | 0.25 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 410 | 0.11 |
- **Count:** 14

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.84 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.5317897 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.0744022 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.6871514 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 30
- **Percentile:** 29
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 34 | felten_aioe |
| 31 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 25 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.5317897 | 34 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.28125 | 31 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.08620949895403147 | 25 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.84
- **Percentile:** 69
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.09375
- **Beta:** 0.1875
- **Gamma:** 0.28125

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -10.8
- **Growth Percentile:** 5
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 4.7
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 47
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 55.2
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 49.3

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 17
- **Skills:** 40
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 32
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 06f6c2a7e32231d8