Tool and Die Makers salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Tool and Die Makers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $48,730 a year ($23.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,330 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $64,050. Pay here is 20% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $60,760. There are 0.56 tool and die makers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tool and die makers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| 25th percentile | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Median | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| 75th percentile | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Average (mean) | $51,680 | $24.85 |
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 | $4,060.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,030.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,874.23 |
| Weekly | $937.12 |
| Hourly | $23.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $69,210 | 810 |
| Richmond, VA | $68,000 | 30 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $67,130 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $64,050 | 140 |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,180 | 500 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $61,720 | 260 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $60,760 | 120 |
| Jackson, TN | $57,240 | 110 |
| Johnson City, TN | $56,460 | 60 |
| Morristown, TN | $48,400 | 180 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Machinist | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,690 | $26.78 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,990 | $19.71 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,960 | $21.13 |
| Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,840 | $19.64 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $37,490 | $18.02 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,440 | $21.85 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,750 | $22.96 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for tool and die makers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $48,730 a year, or $23.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tool and die makers make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of tool and die makers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $65,330 a year. The top 25% earn $59,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for tool and die makers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,810 a year, and a quarter of tool and die makers earn $44,030 or less.
How many tool and die makers work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 70 tool and die makers are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.