Grinder vs lead machinist

The differences between grinders 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 a grinder and a lead machinist. Additionally, a lead machinist has an average salary of $51,691, which is higher than the $33,001 average annual salary of a grinder.

The top three skills for a grinder include grinders, hand tools and calipers. The most important skills for a lead machinist are cnc lathes, grinders, and calipers.

Grinder vs lead machinist overview

	Grinder	Lead Machinist
Yearly salary	$33,001	$51,691
Hourly rate	$15.87	$24.85
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	3,409	10,892
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Grinder vs lead machinist salary

Grinders and lead machinists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Grinder	Lead Machinist
Average salary	$33,001	$51,691
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $39,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Tualatin, OR	-
Highest paying state	New Mexico	-
Best paying company	Kennametal	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between grinder and lead machinist education

There are a few differences between a grinder and a lead machinist in terms of educational background:

	Grinder	Lead Machinist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Grinder vs lead machinist demographics

Here are the differences between grinders' and lead machinists' demographics:

	Grinder	Lead Machinist
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%	Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 70.7% 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 Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between grinder and lead machinist duties and responsibilities

Grinder example responsibilities.

Machine carbide, harden tool steel, harden stainless steel, and ceramic.
Verify dimensional compliance using micrometers, calipers, ultrasonic testing and similar types of dimensional inspection devices.
Set up and run O.D.
Support for lathes and EDM (i.e.
Grind drills, end mills, taps etc.
Set up and run surface grinder at 200 to 300/ hour.

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.

Grinder vs lead machinist skills

Common grinder skills

Grinders, 20%
Hand Tools, 12%
Calipers, 8%
Grinding Machines, 7%
Grinding Wheels, 7%
CNC, 6%

Common lead machinist skills

CNC Lathes, 9%
Grinders, 8%
Calipers, 8%
Machine Tools, 6%
Aluminum, 6%
Troubleshoot, 5%