Jobs Similar to Tool and Die Makers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to tool and die makers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Model Makers (Metal and Plastic), Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Machinists.
Tool and Die Makers: $64,050 median pay · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
82% similar · $63,340 (−1%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 2Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
79% similar · $50,690 (−21%) · High school
- 3Machinists
79% similar · $58,750 (−8%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 4Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $49,080 (−23%) · High school · Same group
- 5Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
79% similar · $50,060 (−22%) · High school · Same group
- 6Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
78% similar · $52,800 (−18%) · High school · Same group
- 7Industrial Machinery Mechanics
78% similar · $64,520 (+1%) · Training or associate
- 8Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
77% similar · $46,330 (−28%) · High school · Same group
- 9Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
77% similar · $38,760 (−39%) · High school
- 10Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
77% similar · $46,550 (−27%) · High school · Same group
- 11Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
77% similar · $49,030 (−23%) · High school · Same group
- 12Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
76% similar · $43,380 (−32%) · High school
- 13Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
76% similar · $42,660 (−33%) · High school
- 14Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
76% similar · $58,000 (−9%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 15Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
76% similar · $53,710 (−16%) · High school
- 16Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
75% similar · $46,680 (−27%) · High school
- 17Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
75% similar · $45,760 (−29%) · High school
- 18Boilermakers
75% similar · $76,410 (+19%) · High school
- 19Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
75% similar · $63,870 (0%) · High school · Same group
- 20Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
75% similar · $50,620 (−21%) · High school · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than tool and die makers.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators79% similar · High school
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic79% similar · High school
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners79% similar · High school
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic78% similar · High school
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic77% similar · High school
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders77% similar · High school
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for tool and die makers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where tool and die makers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Patternmakers, Wood (80)
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (78)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (78)
- Etchers and Engravers (77)
- Model Makers, Wood (76)
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery (75)
- Automotive Engineering Technicians (74)
- Robotics Technicians (73)
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters (72)
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (71)
Questions about jobs like tool and die makers
What jobs are most similar to tool and die makers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Model Makers (Metal and Plastic) (82% similar), Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (79% similar), Machinists (79% similar), Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (79% similar) and Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners (79% similar).
Which jobs like tool and die makers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Boilermakers ($76,410, +19%; usually a high school diploma) and Industrial Machinery Mechanics ($64,520, +1%; usually training or an associate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with tool and die makers ($64,050). Without more preparation than tool and die makers usually need: Boilermakers and Industrial Machinery Mechanics.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.