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The differences between grinders and outside 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 an outside machinist. Additionally, an outside machinist has an average salary of $42,858, 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 an outside machinist are hand tools, calipers, and condensers.
| Grinder | Outside Machinist | |
| Yearly salary | $33,001 | $42,858 |
| Hourly rate | $15.87 | $20.60 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 3,409 | 24,075 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Depending on the industry, a grinder has a diverse range of duties. Typically, they oversee setting up and operating bearing grinders, cam grinders, and CNC lathes. A grinder must meet with the manufacturer's specifications by making use of shop drawings. Additionally, they may be tasked with repairing any mechanical breakdowns on the machines.
An outside machinist specializes in installing and repairing machinery and equipment in water vessels such as ships and submarines. They have a wide range of responsibilities, which typically include understanding blueprints and schematics, fixing and assembling parts, operating power tools, connecting pipe systems, conducting inspections, and providing support to staff as needed. They must also perform regular maintenance checks to ensure the quality and efficiency of machinery. Moreover, as an outside machinist, it is vital to maintain an active communication line with team members for a safe and efficient workflow.
Grinders and outside machinists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Grinder | Outside Machinist | |
| Average salary | $33,001 | $42,858 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $40,000 | Between $32,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tualatin, OR | Bremerton, WA |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Kennametal | Oceaneering |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between a grinder and an outside machinist in terms of educational background:
| Grinder | Outside Machinist | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between grinders' and outside machinists' demographics:
| Grinder | Outside Machinist | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 6.7% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |