NOC 72101: Tool and die makers
What tool and die makers do
Tool and die makers make, repair and modify custom-made, prototype or special tools, dies, jigs, fixtures and gauges using various metals, alloys and plastics which require precise dimensions. They are employed primarily in manufacturing industries such as automobile, aircraft, metal fabrication, electrical machinery and plastics, and in tool and die, mould making and machine shops. This unit group also includes metal patternmakers and metal mould makers. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Tool and die makers
- Read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications of tools, dies, prototypes or models
- Prepare templates and sketches, and determine work processes
- Compute dimensions and tolerances and set up machine tools
- Position, secure, measure and work metal stock or castings to lay out for machining
- Set up, operate and maintain a variety of conventional and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools to cut, turn, mill, plane, drill, bore, grind or otherwise shape workpiece to prescribed dimensions and finish
- Verify machined parts for conformance to specifications using precision measuring instruments such as verniers, callipers, micrometers, coordinate measuring machines (CMM) and electronic measuring devices
- Fit and assemble or disassemble parts using hand tools
- Test completed tools, dies, jigs or fixtures for proper operation
- May program CNC machine tools.
- Metal mould makers and patternmakers
- Machine, fit and assemble castings and other parts to make precision models of required shape such as metal patterns, core boxes and match plates
- Machine, fit and assemble parts to make metal moulds and cores for plastic injection moulding, or other production processes
- Lay out, shape and assemble patterns of metal, wood, plastic and other materials from blueprints, models or templates
- May program CNC machine tools.
Job titles under NOC 72101
66 job titles are classified here, including die finisher, die maker, jig maker.
- aircraft jig and template maker
- aircraft jig and tool maker
- apprentice tool and die maker
- bench die cutter
- bench die fitter
- bench die sinker
- bench jig maker
- bench stamping die maker
- bench tool maker
- carbide tool maker
- diamond saw maker
- diamond tool maker
- die cutter
- die cutter - metalworking
- die finisher
- die fitter
- die maker
- die maker - jewellery
- die mouldmaker
- die reamer
- die repairer
- die repairman/woman
- die sinker
- die sinker - metalworking
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a four- or five-year tool and die making apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in tool and die making is usually required to be eligible for tool and die trade certification.
- Tool and die maker trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified tool and die makers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
- Mould makers usually require completion of a four-year apprenticeship or college program in mould making.
- Trade certification for mould makers is available, but voluntary, in Quebec and Ontario.
- Patternmakers usually require completion of an apprenticeship or college program in patternmaking.
- Patternmaking trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Ontario.
Tool and die makers wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $22.50/hr | $34.00/hr | $44.65/hr |
Toronto ON | $25.00/hr | $34.00/hr | $38.00/hr |
Montréal QC | $23.45/hr | $32.88/hr | $39.80/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $26.45/hr | $37.02/hr | $46.09/hr |
Calgary AB | $24.26/hr | $31.46/hr | $39.40/hr |
Edmonton AB | $25.31/hr | $32.48/hr | $39.92/hr |
Ottawa ON | $25.19/hr | $33.92/hr | $44.24/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $23.97/hr | $31.20/hr | $38.14/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $24.09/hr | $33.12/hr | $43.69/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $23.00/hr | $37.00/hr | $45.37/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $24.89/hr | $34.87/hr | $45.14/hr |
London ON | $23.08/hr | $35.00/hr | $44.65/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Nova Scotia | $24.35/hr | $32.99/hr | $40.22/hr |
Quebec | $24.09/hr | $33.12/hr | $43.69/hr |
Ontario | $22.00/hr | $34.00/hr | $42.50/hr |
Manitoba | $22.66/hr | $31.62/hr | $41.46/hr |
Saskatchewan | $24.91/hr | $32.41/hr | $49.69/hr |
Alberta | $23.81/hr | $32.96/hr | $42.47/hr |
British Columbia | $26.38/hr | $36.05/hr | $46.55/hr |
Using NOC 72101 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 66 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Foundry workers (NOC 94101)
- Machining tool operators (NOC 94106)
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (NOC 72100)
- Metal mould and metal patternmakers supervisor (NOC 72010)
- Tool and die makers supervisor (NOC 72010)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for tool and die makers?
Tool and die makers are NOC 2021 unit group 72101. Example job titles in this group include die finisher, die maker, jig maker, metal mould maker.
What TEER is NOC 72101?
NOC 72101 is TEER 2 (College diploma or apprenticeship (2+ years)). Usually requires a 2–3 year college program or a 2–5 year apprenticeship, or the occupation carries supervisory or significant safety responsibilities. TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 work counts as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do tool and die makers earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $34.00/hr, about $66,000 a year full-time, with a range of $22.50/hr to $44.65/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.