Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out: salary in the UK
Pay by year
The median went from £31,737 in 2021 to £39,847 in 2025 (+26%); for all full-time employees in the UK it changed by +25% over the same years.
Figures by year
| P10 | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | x | £28,369 | £31,737 | x | x |
| 2022 | x | £29,749 | £34,157 | x | x |
| 2023 | x | £30,589 | £36,086 | x | x |
| 2024 | x | x | £38,429 | x | x |
| 2025 | x | x | £39,847 | x | x |
| 2026 | x | x | x | x | x |
ONS figures for each year, not adjusted for inflation. Years before 2021 used a different occupation classification, so they can't be compared. Earlier years are ONS's revised figures; the latest is provisional.
ONS didn't publish salary figures for Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out in 2026: too few full-time employees were in the survey sample for a reliable estimate. This is common for jobs where many people are self-employed, because the survey only covers employees.
The wider group Metal Machining, Fitting and Instrument Making Trades (SOC 522) has a median of £40,754 a year.
ONS did publish a mean of £44,632, which is less reliable than a median would be.
Job titles in this occupation
ONS codes these 51 job titles to SOC 5222 Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out. Pay figures are for the whole occupation, not for each title.
- Diamond tool maker
- Die and tool maker
- Die corrector
- Die fitter
- Die maker
- Die repairer
- Die sinker
- Edge tool fitter
- Engineer-toolmaker
- Fitter and marker-off
- Forme maker
- Gauge maker
- Gauge setter
- Jig and gauge maker
- Jig and tool fitter
- Jig maker
- Liner
- Liner-off
- Liner-out
- Liner-up
- Machine tool maker
- Marker
- Marker-off
- Marker-out
- Metal pattern cutter
- Mould cutter
- Mould maker
- Part marker
- Pattern fitter
- Press tool fitter
- Press tool maker
- Press tool mould maker
- Press toolmaker
- Scriber
- Setter-out
- Surface table man
- Template maker
- Templater
- Tool cutter
- Tool doctor
- Tool engineer
- Tool fettler
- Tool fitter
- Tool hire fitter
- Tool maker
- Tool making engineer
- Tool repairer
- Tool room engineer
- Tool room fitter
- Tooling engineer
- Toolmaker
Similar occupations
All jobs in Skilled trades occupations
Source: ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2026 provisional, Table 14.7a (full-time employees, gross annual pay, UK, tax year ending 5 April 2026). Provisional figures may be revised.