EARNING POTENTIAL

If you choose an apprenticeship your earnings will look like this:

  • 1st year:  50% of $17.50/hr =$18,200
  • 2nd year: 60% of $17.50/hr =$21,840
  • 3rd year:  70% of $17.50/hr =$25,480
  • 4th year:  80% of $17.50/hr =$29,120
  • 5th year:  90% of $17.50/hr =$32,760

*All earnings are calculated on a 2,080 hour year, overtime pay may increase this substantially.

Upon completion of an apprenticeship, the typical journeyman will have earned in excess of $127,400 and will have a job.  The typical university graduate will have college debts of more then $16,800 and may not be able to find a job in his or her chosen career.

Earnings are based on 1996 Milwaukee Area Industry Market figures.  College costs are based on 1996 Wall Street Journal figures.

You Will Always Be Needed

Look in the "Skilled Trades" and "Professional Technical" sections of the newspaper employment ads to see the many opportunities available for tool and die makers.  Whatever the economy, there are always jobs for tool and die makers.  Experienced toolmakers continue to increase their pay, and many go on to open their own shops.

Course Information

For more information, contact the following technical colleges:

Waukesha County Technical
College

Michael Shiels
Associate Dean
Manufacturing Technology
800 Main Street, Room I156
Pewaukee, WI 53072
262-691-5345

http://www.wctc.edu/

Moraine Park Technical

College

Marcia Arndt
Associate Dean
Tool & Die Technical Program
2151 N. Main Street
West Bend, WI 53095
262-335-5725
http://www.morainepark.com

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Bill Hodgkinson
Associate Dean
Technical & Industrial
700 W. State Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-297-6431
http://www.matc.edu