U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos225.htm


While surfing through GOOGLE, I stumbled across this site!
It has an interresting perspective on Tool & Die makers!

Earnings:


Median hourly earnings of tool and die makers were $20.55 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $16.70 and $25.93. The lowest 10 percent had earnings of less than $13.57, while the top 10 percent earned more than $31.19. Median hourly earnings in the manufacturing industries employing the largest numbers of tool and die makers in May 2004 are:


Motor vehicle parts manufacturing $26.93
Plastics product manufacturing 20.17
Forging and stamping 20.09
Metalworking machinery manufacturing 19.82
Machine shops; turned product; and screw, nut, and bolt manufacturing 18.84

Apprentice’s pay is tied to their skill level. As they gain more skills and reach specific levels of performance and experience, their pay increases.