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Automotive machinist apprentice vs tool technician

The differences between automotive machinist apprentices and tool technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an automotive machinist apprentice, becoming a tool technician takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an automotive machinist apprentice has an average salary of $61,842, which is higher than the $42,908 average annual salary of a tool technician.

The top three skills for an automotive machinist apprentice include oil changes, customer vehicles and general maintenance. The most important skills for a tool technician are grinders, hand tools, and CNC.

Automotive machinist apprentice vs tool technician overview

Automotive Machinist ApprenticeTool Technician
Yearly salary$61,842$42,908
Hourly rate$29.73$20.63
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs47,87578,258
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 33%
Average age4854
Years of experience46

Automotive machinist apprentice vs tool technician salary

Automotive machinist apprentices and tool technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automotive Machinist ApprenticeTool Technician
Average salary$61,842$42,908
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $94,000Between $29,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City-Fort Wayne, IN
Highest paying state-Indiana
Best paying company-Rivian
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between automotive machinist apprentice and tool technician education

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

Automotive Machinist ApprenticeTool Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 33%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Automotive machinist apprentice vs tool technician demographics

Here are the differences between automotive machinist apprentices' and tool technicians' demographics:

Automotive Machinist ApprenticeTool Technician
Average age4854
Gender ratioMale, 92.6% Female, 7.4%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
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, 2.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between automotive machinist apprentice and tool technician 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.

Tool technician example responsibilities.

  • Use specialize tools and machinery (CNC milling machine, manual lathe, manual milling machine and surface grinders . )
  • Program and operate wire EDM machine, milling machines, drill presses, surface grinders, lathes and jig grinders.
  • Perform mig, tig, and stick welds.
  • Skil welder utilizing TIG, MIG and stick welding processes.
  • Work on and troubleshoot the press machinery using calipers, micrometers and other precision tools.
  • Learned to use a TIG welder . )
  • Show more

Automotive machinist apprentice vs tool technician skills

Common automotive machinist apprentice skills
  • Oil Changes, 56%
  • Customer Vehicles, 14%
  • General Maintenance, 12%
  • Routine Maintenance, 9%
  • Water Pumps, 9%
Common tool technician skills
  • Grinders, 11%
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • CNC, 9%
  • Calipers, 7%
  • Micrometers, 6%
  • Jigs, 6%

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