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Automotive machinist apprentice vs lead machinist

The differences between automotive machinist apprentices and lead machinists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an automotive machinist apprentice and a lead machinist. Additionally, an automotive machinist apprentice has an average salary of $61,842, which is higher than the $51,691 average annual salary of a lead machinist.

The top three skills for an automotive machinist apprentice include oil changes, customer vehicles and general maintenance. The most important skills for a lead machinist are cnc lathes, grinders, and calipers.

Automotive machinist apprentice vs lead machinist overview

Automotive Machinist ApprenticeLead Machinist
Yearly salary$61,842$51,691
Hourly rate$29.73$24.85
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs47,87510,892
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

Automotive machinist apprentice vs lead machinist salary

Automotive machinist apprentices and lead machinists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automotive Machinist ApprenticeLead Machinist
Average salary$61,842$51,691
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $94,000Between $39,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between automotive machinist apprentice and lead machinist education

There are a few differences between an automotive machinist apprentice and a lead machinist in terms of educational background:

Automotive Machinist ApprenticeLead Machinist
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyPrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Automotive machinist apprentice vs lead machinist demographics

Here are the differences between automotive machinist apprentices' and lead machinists' demographics:

Automotive Machinist ApprenticeLead Machinist
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.6% Female, 7.4%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 6.3% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.5% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between automotive machinist apprentice and lead machinist duties and responsibilities

Automotive machinist apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
  • Work closely with management and engineering staff to ensure efficient and safe methods are utilized in producing high quality aerospace components.
  • Disassemble components and repair or replace damage parts of engine, transmission, a/c and various other assemblies.

Lead machinist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and perform programming of CNC mills, lathes and EDM equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition and control systems.
  • Experience with cutting different materials (aluminum, titanium, inconel, mild and stainless steels).
  • Program, edit, and setup of CNC lathe with Fanuc control.
  • Work machines such as; Haas CNC vertical and horizontal mills and lathes.
  • Perform gluing, soldering, brazing and gas, arc, welding operations.
  • Lead setup/ supervisor for a cell of two Haas lathes and two Haas mills.
  • Show more

Automotive machinist apprentice vs lead machinist skills

Common automotive machinist apprentice skills
  • Oil Changes, 56%
  • Customer Vehicles, 14%
  • General Maintenance, 12%
  • Routine Maintenance, 9%
  • Water Pumps, 9%
Common lead machinist skills
  • CNC Lathes, 9%
  • Grinders, 8%
  • Calipers, 8%
  • Machine Tools, 6%
  • Aluminum, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%

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