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Apprentice Tool Maker Salary in California

How much does an Apprentice Tool Maker make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Apprentice Tool Maker in California is $72,591 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): $83,376
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,795 to $78,236
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,608
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): $55,149
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $71,415
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $80,063
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $89,414
  • Expert (over 8 years): $94,961
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Tool and Die Maker I less than 1 year $55,149
Apprentice Tool Maker 1-2 years $71,415
Tool and Die Maker III 2-4 years $80,063
Tool and Die Maker IV 5-8 years $89,414
Tool, Die, and Gauge Making Supervisor I over 8 years $94,961

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: $72,868.
  • California: $72,591.
  • Massachusetts: $71,624.

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: $72,716
  • West Hollywood: $72,664
  • Dodgertown: $72,716

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 $87,109 $42.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $83,480 $40.0 15%
Software & Networking $81,302 $39.0 12%
Aerospace & Defense $79,850 $38.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $78,398 $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 October 01, 2026
$65,795
Average $72,591/year
$78,236
$5,483
Average $6,049/month
$6,520
$1,265
Average $1,396/week
$1,505
$32
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,236 $6,520 $1,505 $38
Average $72,591 $6,049 $1,396 $35
25th Percentile $65,795 $5,483 $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.

  • 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

    4 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

    4 Days Ago

  • Unicare Community Health Center | Burbank, CA

    Tool and Die Maker

    Unicare Community Health Center | Burbank, CA

    Tool And Die Technician. We believe our employees are the reason for our success, and our compensation and benefits are designed to reflect that belief. Wi... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Lockheed Martin | Palmdale, CA

    Tool Model Maker

    Lockheed Martin | Palmdale, CA

    Tool And Die Maker. Standard job description determines method and sequence of operations, makes layouts, develops, fabricates, assembles, proves to exacti... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Saturn Fasteners | Burbank, CA

    Tool and Die Maker

    Saturn Fasteners | Burbank, CA

    Job Description. Job Description.  . Position Summary. With no supervision can operate all necessary tool room equipment for the purpose of making or rewor... more

    7 Days Ago

  • AS Aerospace | Santa Clarita, CA

    Tool and Die Maker

    AS Aerospace | Santa Clarita, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. A.S. Aerospace Inc. manufactures high strength specialty fasteners, including nuts, bolts, screws, studs, and pins. Our p... more

    7 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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