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Tool & Die Technology

Types of Degrees Tool & Die Technology Majors Are Earning

Those studying Tool & Die Technology have the option of earning degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	163
Associate’s Degree	182
Master’s Degree	164

What Tool & Die Technology Majors Need to Know

Programs in Tool & Die Technology emphasize a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Tool & Die Technology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Tool & Die Technology emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Mechanical — Importance 4.5 / 5; level 5.2 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Production and Processing — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Design — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 2.9 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set built by a Tool & Die Technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Operation and Control — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3 / 7.
• Quality Control Analysis — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Equipment Selection — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3 / 7.
• Monitoring — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3 / 7.

Abilities

The cognitive and physical abilities most relevant to Tool & Die Technology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Visualization — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3 / 7.
• Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Control Precision — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Tool & Die Technology graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Getting Information	4.5 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.1 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.8 / 7
Thinking Creatively	3.8 / 7
Controlling Machines and Processes	3.8 / 7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.8 / 7
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	3.7 / 7
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	3.7 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	3.6 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.6 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Tool & Die Technology professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Seco Tools Seco Point	Inventory management software	—
DP Technology ESPRIT	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Dassault Systemes CATIA	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Striker Systems SS-Strip Design	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Cimatron CimatronE Master	Computer aided design CAD software	—
JobPack MES Scheduler	Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software	—
data M Software COPRA MetalBender	Computer aided design CAD software	—
CNC Mastercam	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	—
Virtual Gibbs CADD/CAM	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Tool & Die Technology graduates include:

• Die Cutter
• Tool Trouble Shooter
• Metal Gauge Maker
• Cutlery and Tools Saw Maker
• Carbide Operator
• Tool and Die Assembler
• Journeyman Tool and Die Maker
• Carbide Tool Maker
• Tool and Fixture Specialist
• Diecast and Plastic Mold Maker
• Die Designer
• Die Mechanic
• Metal Die Finisher
• Tooling Technician (Tooling Tech)
• Die Repair Laborer

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Tool & Die Technology graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Postsecondary certificate	40.9%
High school diploma or equivalent	39.6%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	9.9%
Less than a high school diploma	9.7%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Tool & Die Technology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 92.9% of Tool & Die Technology degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	36	7.1%
Men	473	92.9%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Tool & Die Technology graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	339	66.6%
Asian	4	0.8%
Hispanic or Latino	120	23.6%
Black or African American	15	2.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	1	0.2%
Two or More Races	9	1.8%
Race Unknown	21	4.1%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Tool & Die Technology Graduates Earn?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Tool & Die Technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$33,800
4 years	$39,416
5 years	$44,203

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $44,203 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Tool & Die Technology Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Tool & Die Technology graduates earn a median of $39,416 four years after completion — roughly 4% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Precision Metal Working	67,063
Welding Technology/Welder	57,768
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist	3,539
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist	2,174
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant	1,634
Metal Fabricator	552
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking	386
Precision Metal Working, Other	340
Ironworking/Ironworker	161

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.