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Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Salary in the United States

How much does a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III in the United States is $70,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,770
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,100 to $75,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,272
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View as table View as graph 25% $63,100 10% $56,272 90% $79,770 75% $75,400 $70,600 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $75,400 $6,283 $1,450 $36
Average $70,600 $5,883 $1,358 $34
25th Percentile $63,100 $5,258 $1,213 $30
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Key Factors That Influence Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Salaries

A Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker I (0-1 years): $48,617
  • Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker II (1-3 years): $62,929
  • Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III (3-5 years): $70,547
  • Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker IV (5-7 years): $78,782
  • Tool and Die Supervisor I (7+ years): $83,138
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker I0-1 years$48,617
Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker II1-3 years$62,929
Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III3-5 years$70,547
Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker IV5-7 years$78,782
Tool and Die Supervisor I7+ years$83,138
$48,617 Machine S...
$62,929 Machine S...
$70,547 Machine S...
$78,782 Machine S...
$83,138 Tool and ...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $78,200.
  • California: $77,900.
  • Massachusetts: $76,800.

Top Paying Cities for Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $89,000
  • San Francisco: $88,100
  • Oakland: $86,200

What Skills Can Increase a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 6.38% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 3.1% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer
  • Production Support (Mentioned in 1.96% Job Postings): Production support covers the practices and disciplines of supporting the IT systems/applications which are currently being used by the end users. A production support person/team is responsible for receiving incidents and requests from end-users, analyzing these and either responding to the end user with a solution or escalating it to the other IT teams. These teams may include developers, system engineers and database administrators.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 6.38%
CAD 3.1%
Production Support 1.96%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III's salary.
  • Prioritization: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • AutoCAD: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prioritization
$75,542
7%
AutoCAD
$72,718
3%
Leadership
$72,718
3%
Initiative
$72,012
2%
Repairing
$72,012
2%
ISO
$72,012
2%
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Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,416. While startup companies pay approximate $67,141.

Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$67,141
Growth Stage51~500$71,020
Established501~5000$76,679
Enterprise5000+$79,416

Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$91,780$44.030%
Energy & Utilities$84,720$41.020%
Financial Services$81,190$39.015%
Biotechnology$77,660$37.010%
Aerospace & Defense$74,130$36.05%

How Education impacts a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker IIIs enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $66,663 and $71,397).

Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 50.0%
High School 50.0%
Associates 28.6%
Bachelors 21.4%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $78,800 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III

Salaries for a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $53,285 in 2023 to around $52,493 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$53,285
2024
$53,085
2025
$52,493
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $53,285
2024 $53,085
2025 $52,493
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III

Here are companies hiring for Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
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    Columbus, OH

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    CDL

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    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker III roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Is a toolmaker an engineer?

A toolmaker is a highly-skilled engineer responsible for creating precision tools, dies, molds, jigs, and holding devices used in manufacturing. Their expertise is crucial in ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of production processes. In terms of compensation, toolmakers typically earn between $64,000 and $80,400, with a median salary of $72,600.

3. Is there a shortage of tool and die makers?

The tool and die making industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, making it challenging for companies to find qualified candidates for open positions. With salaries ranging from $64,000 to $80,400, this sector offers competitive compensation, yet the demand for skilled tool and die makers continues to outpace supply.

4. How much does a toolmaker make a year?

The salary for a Machine Shop Tool & Die Maker ranges from $64,000 to $80,400 annually, with a median salary of $72,600. This reflects the earning potential in this field, which may vary based on location and experience.

5. Are tool and die makers happy?

Tool and die makers generally report a work environment satisfaction rating of 3.3/5. With salaries ranging from $64,000 to $80,400, many find their compensation aligns with their job satisfaction, contributing to a positive overall experience in their roles.

6. What is the highest paying machining job?

The highest paying machining job is that of a Tool & Die Maker in a machine shop. The salary range for this position typically starts at $64,000, with a mid-level salary of $72,600, and can go up to a maximum of $80,400. This role requires specialized skills in creating and maintaining tools and dies used in manufacturing processes.

7. What is the top pay for tool and die maker?

The top pay for a Tool and Die Maker is approximately $80,400 annually. The average salary in this field is around $72,600, while entry-level positions start at a minimum of $64,000. This reflects the competitive nature of the industry and the skills required for the role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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