Tool and Die Makers salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Tool and Die Makers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $73,170 a year ($35.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,940 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $64,050. Pay here is 13% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $65,000. There are 0.23 tool and die makers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $72,690, close to the median.
Pay range for tool and die makers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,220 | $29.92 |
| 25th percentile | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Median | $73,170 | $35.18 |
| 75th percentile | $80,170 | $38.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,940 | $42.28 |
| Average (mean) | $72,690 | $34.95 |
Half of tool and die makers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,097.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,048.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,814.23 |
| Weekly | $1,407.12 |
| Hourly | $35.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tool and Die Makers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $66,420 | 80 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $65,590 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,370 | 140 |
| Dubuque, IA | $63,290 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,140 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for tool and die makers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $109,390 |
| Kansas | $83,890 |
| Maine | $79,910 |
| Connecticut | $77,540 |
| California | $77,030 |
| New Jersey | $74,460 |
| Oregon | $73,930 |
| North Dakota | $73,130 |
| Minnesota | $71,020 |
| New Hampshire | $69,910 |
See Tool and Die Makers pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,700 | $23.42 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,980 | $25.47 |
| Machinist | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Baker | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,660 | $19.55 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4111. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tool and die makers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for tool and die makers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $73,170 a year, or $35.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tool and die makers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of tool and die makers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $87,940 a year. The top 25% earn $80,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for tool and die makers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,220 a year, and a quarter of tool and die makers earn $64,940 or less.
How many tool and die makers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 90 tool and die makers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.