Salary guide, May 2025
Tool and Die Maker pay in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Tool and Die Makers in Raleigh-Cary, NC was $60,590 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $48,360 and $65,430.
The Raleigh-Cary, NC median is $3,460 below the national median of $64,050, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-4111 Tool and Die Makers
The Tool and Die Maker title maps to the published occupation. The duties align, but BLS combines employers and industries.
What should you know about raleigh-Cary, NC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,260 | $48,360 | $60,590 | $65,430 | $76,900 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.88 | $23.25 | $29.13 | $31.46 | $36.97 |
BLS estimated 110 workers employed in this occupation in Raleigh-Cary, NC. Location quotient: 0.41.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $44,680 | $51,490 | $64,050 | $78,770 | $92,680 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $21.48 | $24.75 | $30.79 | $37.87 | $44.56 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Tool and Die Maker median is $60,590. The all-occupations median in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $51,990. Ratio: 1.17 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.41 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $48,900 | $60,170 | $66,530 |
| May 2025 | $48,360 | $60,590 | $65,430 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4111 Tool and Die Makers, Raleigh-Cary, NC. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4111 Tool and Die Makers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NC | $78,140 | $63,350 to $78,140 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $61,090 | $50,120 to $69,700 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
Manufacturing Headhunters evaluates the Raleigh-Cary, NC area, which reports 110 tool and die makers. Essential requirements include a registered apprenticeship or NIMS tool and die credentials, with skills in wire EDM, surface grinding, die tryout, and the construction of progressive or transfer dies.
The local median is $60,590, and the middle band width is $17,070, which is notably narrower than the national middle band width of $27,280. For Tool and Die Maker in Raleigh-Cary, NC, OEWS measures straight-time gross wages, not pure base salary or total compensation. Commissions and production bonuses are included; overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits are excluded.
For Tool and Die Maker in Raleigh-Cary, NC, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $60,590; the May 2024 median is $60,170. Their arithmetic difference is $420. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. The local location quotient is 0.41, showing the employment concentration of this trade is below the national average. Nearby comparison hubs include Burlington, NC, with a median of $78,140, and Greensboro-High Point, NC, with a median of $61,090. These metros are selected for their high occupational employment. The variation between Raleigh and Burlington medians highlights how localized demand for specific tool and die expertise creates significant wage discrepancies within the region.
The mean wage for Raleigh is $59,100, which is slightly below the median, indicating a skew in the distribution. Hiring managers should evaluate the middle band width of $17,070 to understand how compensation clusters. Since BLS data combines all employer types within the sector, it includes shops with varying degrees of complexity. Managers should consider this data as a base for comparison and remember that individual plant requirements for specialized setup or die maintenance are not detailed in the report. For Tool and Die Maker in Raleigh-Cary, NC, OEWS measures straight-time gross wages, not pure base salary or total compensation. Commissions and production bonuses are included; overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits are excluded.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
For Tool and Die Maker in Raleigh-Cary, NC, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $60,590; the May 2024 median is $60,170. Their arithmetic difference is $420. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause.
How did the Raleigh median change compared to the national median over the last year?
For Tool and Die Maker in Raleigh-Cary, NC, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $60,590; the May 2024 median is $60,170. Their arithmetic difference is $420. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause.
Why is the middle band width in Raleigh narrower than the national average?
Raleigh has a middle band width of $17,070, which is narrower than the national width of $27,280. This indicates less wage spread for the middle 50% of the workforce compared to national figures.
Does the report account for the difference in duty complexity between plants?
No, the BLS report aggregates duties under a single SOC title. It does not distinguish between different complexity levels of die work performed in individual manufacturing shops.
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