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Apprentice Tool Maker Salary in California

How much does an Apprentice Tool Maker make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Apprentice Tool Maker in California is $72,572 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, an Apprentice Tool Maker's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,354
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,779 to $78,215
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,594
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Apprentice Tool Maker Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Apprentice Tool Maker Salaries

An Apprentice Tool Maker's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Apprentice Tool Maker Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Apprentice Tool Maker's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $55,158
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $71,396
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $80,039
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $89,382
  • Expert (over 8 years): $94,324
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Tool and Die Maker I less than 1 year $55,158
Apprentice Tool Maker 1-2 years $71,396
Tool and Die Maker III 2-4 years $80,039
Tool and Die Maker IV 5-8 years $89,382
Tool, Die, and Gauge Making Supervisor I over 8 years $94,324

How Do Apprentice Tool Maker Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Apprentice Tool Makers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $72,848.
  • California: $72,572.
  • Massachusetts: $71,604.

Top Paying Cities for Apprentice Tool Maker

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $72,697
  • West Hollywood: $72,644
  • Dodgertown: $72,696

Apprentice Tool Maker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Apprentice Tool Maker roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Apprentice Tool Maker positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Apprentice Tool Maker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Apprentice Tool Maker

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $87,086 $42.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $83,457 $40.0 15%
Software & Networking $81,280 $39.0 12%
Aerospace & Defense $79,829 $38.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $78,377 $38.0 8%

Apprentice Tool Maker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Apprentice Tool Maker's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$65,779
Average $72,572/year
$78,215
$5,482
Average $6,048/month
$6,518
$1,265
Average $1,396/week
$1,504
$32
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,215 $6,518 $1,504 $38
Average $72,572 $6,048 $1,396 $35
25th Percentile $65,779 $5,482 $1,265 $32

Find Your Next Apprentice Tool Maker Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Apprentice Tool Maker job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Howmet Aerospace | Brea, CA

    Tool Maker

    Howmet Aerospace | Brea, CA

    Responsibilities. Salary. $32-42/hour + Shift Differential and eligibility for annual bonuses. 2nd Shift. Key Responsibilities. ' Operates all departmental... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Leupold and Stevens | Fremont, CA

    Tool Maker

    Leupold and Stevens | Fremont, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Tool Maker 1. Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Base Pay Rate Range of $32-$36 (DOE). Signing Bonuses Starting at $1,500... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Stanley Black & Decker | Brea, CA

    1st Shift - Tool Maker

    Stanley Black & Decker | Brea, CA

    Toolmaker1st Shift (4AM-2:30PM)Come Build The World With Us. This is the career you've been waiting for your whole life. Joining the Stanley Black & Decker... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Lockheed Martin Corporation | Palmdale, CA

    Tool Maker Worker

    Lockheed Martin Corporation | Palmdale, CA

    Description:Fabricates and assembles details for all types of tooling such as jigs, fixtures, tools and dies, including pierce, blank and form dies, all st... more

    6 Days Ago

  • SMP Engineering Inc | Glendale, CA

    Tool and Die Maker

    SMP Engineering Inc | Glendale, CA

    About the JobIn a nutshell, we work on the hard stuff. Our customers come to us to quickly engineer, cost effective solutions to a wide range of technical ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • North Star Company | Gardena, CA

    Tool Die Maker

    North Star Company | Gardena, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. North Star Company is a premier roll forming company based in Gardena, California. We are currently offering Tool & Die M... more

    6 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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