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The differences between grinders and senior 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 senior machinist. Additionally, a senior machinist has an average salary of $50,435, 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 senior machinist are calipers, micrometers, and grinders.
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.
Senior Machinist produces components, and complex R&D; prototype machined parts by programming, setting up, operating computer numerical control, lathes, traditional conventional machines, and vertical limits. They maintain safety and quality standards and maintains supplies and equipment. This type of job also supervises employees and student employees. There are duties and responsibilities that they have to take on. Senior Machinist is entitled to provide technical guidance, leadership to faculty and students regarding design, and help them build complex prototypes, frequently requiring the development of new and improved tooling, techniques, and procedure.
Grinders and senior machinists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Grinder | Senior Machinist | |
| Average salary | $33,001 | $50,435 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $40,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tualatin, OR | - |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | - |
| Best paying company | Kennametal | - |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | - |
There are a few differences between a grinder and a senior machinist in terms of educational background:
| Grinder | Senior Machinist | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between grinders' and senior machinists' demographics:
| Grinder | Senior Machinist | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% | Male, 95.9% Female, 4.1% |
| 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, 4.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 70.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |