Wages of machinists and tool and die makers vary with their skill and with the industry and establishment in which they work.
The median hourly wage of machinists was $18.52 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.59, and the top 10 percent earned more than $27.91.
The median hourly wage of tool and die makers was $22.56 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $15.34, and the top 10 percent earned more than $33.57.
The pay of apprentices is tied to their skill level. As they gain more skills and reach specific levels of performance and experience, their pay increases.
In 2010, about 17 percent of machinists and 26 percent of tool and die makers were members of a union.
Most machinists and tool and die makers work full time during regular business hours. However, overtime is common. Also, many manufacturers run the machinery for long hours, so they have shifts with evening and weekend work.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition