Tool and Die Makers salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Tool and Die Makers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $85,010 a year ($40.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,200 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $64,050. Pay here is 10% higher than the California statewide median of $77,030. There are 0.07 tool and die makers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.18). The average (mean) salary is $80,280, close to the median.
Pay range for tool and die makers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| 25th percentile | $56,810 | $27.31 |
| Median | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| 75th percentile | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Average (mean) | $80,280 | $38.60 |
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 | $7,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,542.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,269.62 |
| Weekly | $1,634.81 |
| Hourly | $40.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $97,560 | 130 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $82,820 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,020 | 950 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $72,390 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $62,690 | 280 |
| Modesto, CA | $52,300 | 40 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for tool and die makers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $85,010 a year, or $40.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tool and die makers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of tool and die makers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $109,200 a year. The top 25% earn $99,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for tool and die makers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,400 a year, and a quarter of tool and die makers earn $56,810 or less.
How many tool and die makers work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 100 tool and die makers are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.