by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Tool & Die Technology/Technician explores Tool And Die Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Operate Machine Tools Used In The Forming Of Metal Components, As Well As The Fabrication Of Special Tools, Dies, Jigs And Fixtures Used In Cutting, Working And Finishing Metal Components. Examples: [Tool And Die Maker]. Read on to learn the key facts every tool & die technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering tool & die technology/technician programs.
Across the country, tool & die technology/technician is a widely-pursued major, with 509 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Tool & Die Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 37 schools to determine the best overall colleges for tool & die technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of tool & die technology/technician programs later in this article.
Studies in Tool & Die Technology/Technician emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations tool & die technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a tool & die technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a tool & die technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several tool & die technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 163 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 182 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 164 |
People currently working in careers related to tool & die technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in tool & die technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying tool & die technology/technician opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to tool & die technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to tool & die technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Tool and Die Makers | 478,613 | -4.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of tool & die technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,800 |
| 4 years | $39,416 |
| 5 years | $44,203 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for tool & die technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers tool & die technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Tool and Die Makers | $46,356 |
With 37 different tool & die technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased tool & die technology/technician school rankings to help you.
Students interested in tool & die technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
