Headline risk
8%
Low RiskTool and die makers
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 63,180
Employment 2024
55.2K
Projected Change (2024–34)
-10.8%
Openings (2024–34)
4.7K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of machinists and tool and die makers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators. AI use: 0%
- 2. Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools, hand tools, or welders. AI use: 0%
- 3. Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies. AI use: 0%
- 4. Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications. AI use: 0%
- 5. File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together. AI use: 0%
- 6. Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 41.2 · 77K employed
Under 25: 9% · 25–54: 66% · 55+: 25%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
crosswalk_exact · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate equipment to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.
Machinists and tool and die makers work in machine shops and factories. Many work full time during regular business hours. However, working overtime, as well as nights and weekends, may be common.
Although machinists typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation, tool and die makers also may need to complete postsecondary courses. Machinists and tool and die makers typically are trained on the job. Some learn through training or apprenticeship programs, vocational schools, or community and technical colleges.
The median annual wage for machinists was $56,150 in May 2024.
Overall employment of machinists and tool and die makers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.