Best institutions to study 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.
35 U.S. institutions graduated 423 Tool and Die Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 48.0507, a specialization of Precision Metal Working (CIP 48.05), and leads most directly to the Tool and Die Makers occupation (BLS SOC 51-4111).
About Tool and Die Technology/Technician programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Tool and Die Technology/Technician program, part of the Precision Metal Working field, prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in operating machine tools for metal component fabrication. This program is ideal for those interested in creating and maintaining tools, dies, jigs, and fixtures used in metalworking processes.
Students will gain core skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and mechanical knowledge, alongside hands-on experience with machine tools. Coursework includes studying blueprints and specifications, operating conventional and computer numerically controlled machines, and verifying dimensions and alignments of finished parts.
Credentials awarded
What Tool and Die Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year160 graduates / yr · 18 institutions38%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years139 graduates / yr · 15 institutions33%
- Associate's degree107 graduates / yr · 17 institutions25%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years17 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.0%
Graduates over time
Tool and Die Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 509 |
| 2013 | 610 |
| 2014 | 593 |
| 2015 | 940 |
| 2016 | 925 |
| 2017 | 915 |
| 2018 | 769 |
| 2019 | 658 |
| 2020 | 639 |
| 2021 | 584 |
| 2022 | 541 |
| 2023 | 500 |
| 2024 | 509 |
| 2025 | 423 |
Top 35 institutions for Tool and Die Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 40 | 38% | — | $41,252 |
| 2 | Mech - Tech College Caguas, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 36 | 72% | $13,886 | $27,093 |
| 3 | Macomb Community College Warren, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 35 | 18% | — | — |
| 4 | Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 34 | 58% | — | $41,073 |
| 5 | Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa, ALPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 28 | 30% | — | — |
| 6 | George C Wallace State Community College - Hanceville Hanceville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 25 | 51% | — | — |
| 7 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 39% | — | $39,397 |
| 8 | Vincennes University Vincennes, INPublicAssociate's | 22 | 39% | — | $54,908 |
| 9 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 35% | — | — |
| 10 | Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 44% | — | $43,380 |
| 11 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NEPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 38% | — | $49,114 |
| 12 | Monroe Community College Rochester, NYPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 27% | — | $40,155 |
| 13 | Bevill State Community College Jasper, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 38% | — | $45,423 |
| 14 | Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 56% | — | — |
| 15 | Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje Bayamon, PRPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 10 | 59% | — | — |
| 16 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicAssociate's | 9 | 47% | — | $56,811 |
| 17 | Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 50% | — | $48,619 |
| 18 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 45% | — | $47,718 |
| 19 | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City, IAPublicAssociate's | 8 | 61% | — | — |
| 20 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 31% | — | $40,149 |
| 21 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 41% | — | — |
| 22 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jackson Jackson, TNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 80% | — | $43,864 |
| 23 | Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown, IAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 42% | — | $45,972 |
| 24 | Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 51% | — | $38,659 |
| 25 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 25% | — | — |
| 26 | J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College Huntsville, ALPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 2 | 14% | — | — |
| 27 | Lawson State Community College Birmingham, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 27% | — | $35,941 |
| 28 | North Georgia Technical College Clarkesville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 39% | — | $45,472 |
| 29 | Elgin Community College Elgin, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 41% | — | — |
| 30 | Delta College University Center, MIPublicAssociate's | 2 | 27% | — | $34,112 |
| 31 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAssociate's | 2 | 42% | — | $52,456 |
| 32 | Prairie State College Chicago Heights, ILPublicAssociate's | 1 | 21% | — | — |
| 33 | Wichita State University - Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Wichita, KSPublicAssociate's | 1 | 43% | — | $30,515 |
| 34 | Alamance Community College Graham, NCPublicAssociate's | 1 | 39% | — | — |
| 35 | Lehigh Carbon Community College Schnecksville, PAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 30% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Precision Metal Working field (CIP 48.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 16 states & territories
Where Tool and Die Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Precision Metal Working programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 7 | 120 | Gadsden State Community College40 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 6 | 78 | Moraine Park Technical College34 / yr |
| Michigan | 3 | 46 | Macomb Community College35 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 46 | Mech - Tech College36 / yr |
| Iowa | 3 | 35 | Des Moines Area Community College23 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 26 | Owens Community College21 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 22 | Vincennes University22 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 16 | Southeast Community College Area16 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 14 | Monroe Community College14 / yr |
| North Carolina | 2 | 6 | Central Piedmont Community College5 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 5 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jackson5 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 3 | Elgin Community College2 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 2 | North Georgia Technical College2 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 2 | Hennepin Technical College2 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 1 | Wichita State University - Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology1 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | Lehigh Carbon Community College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-4111, Tool and Die Makers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Tool and Die Makers. The job outlook indicates a decline of 10.8% in this field, with approximately 4,700 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $63,180, and typical education includes a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 48.0507
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tool and Die Makersprimary SOC 51-4111 | $64,050 | -10.8% Decline | ~4,700 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Tool and Die Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
- 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.
- Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
- Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
- Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools, hand tools, or welders.
- Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
Tools and technology used
Other Precision Metal Working specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Precision Metal Working (CIP 48.05).
- Welding Technology/CIP 48.0508
Welder 64,198 graduates / yr911 institutions - Machine Tool Technology/CIP 48.0501
Machinist 3,489 graduates / yr228 institutions - Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CIP 48.0510
CNC Machinist 2,248 graduates / yr166 institutions - Machine Shop Technology/CIP 48.0503
Assistant 1,542 graduates / yr87 institutions - Metal FabricatorCIP 48.0511588 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Sheet Metal Technology/CIP 48.0506
Sheetworking 415 graduates / yr18 institutions - Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.0599296 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Ironworking/CIP 48.0509
Ironworker limited data102 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What is the duration of the Tool and Die Technology program?+
The program typically awards credentials ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn critical thinking, mathematics, and mechanical skills, along with practical experience in operating machine tools.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can pursue a career as a Tool and Die Maker, among other related occupations.
What is the job outlook for Tool and Die Makers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 10.8%, with about 4,700 annual openings in the field.
What is the CIP code for Tool and Die Technology/Technician?+
Tool and Die Technology/Technician is CIP 48.0507 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Precision Metal Working (CIP 48.05). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Tool and Die Technology/Technician programs?+
35 U.S. institutions reported Tool and Die Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 16 states & territories, awarding 423 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Precision Metal Working graduates.
How much do Tool and Die Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Tool and Die Makers occupation, which Tool and Die Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,050 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Precision Metal Working field report median earnings of $43,380 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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