Head machinist vs machinist apprentice

The differences between head machinists and machinist apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a head machinist and a machinist apprentice. Additionally, a head machinist has an average salary of $46,416, which is higher than the $37,681 average annual salary of a machinist apprentice.

The top three skills for a head machinist include calipers, CNC and engine lathes. The most important skills for a machinist apprentice are cnc lathes, grinders, and hand tools.

Head machinist vs machinist apprentice overview

	Head Machinist	Machinist Apprentice
Yearly salary	$46,416	$37,681
Hourly rate	$22.32	$18.12
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	17,621	21,288
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Head machinist vs machinist apprentice salary

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

	Head Machinist	Machinist Apprentice
Average salary	$46,416	$37,681
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $61,000	Between $30,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between head machinist and machinist apprentice education

There are a few differences between a head machinist and a machinist apprentice in terms of educational background:

	Head Machinist	Machinist Apprentice
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Head machinist vs machinist apprentice demographics

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

	Head Machinist	Machinist Apprentice
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 99.3% Female, 0.7%	Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.3% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between head machinist and machinist apprentice duties and responsibilities

Head machinist example responsibilities.

Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
Work closely with management and engineering staff to ensure efficient and safe methods are utilized in producing high quality aerospace components.
Perform various machining tasks as well as fabricated, and assemble prototype automation machinery.

Machinist apprentice example responsibilities.

Design and construct intricate EDM electrodes.
Set up and operate Mazak machining centers.
Work with manual lathe, mill and EDM to repair parts for production.
Set up and operate CNC and manual machining equipment for high precision aerospace components.
Develop various forms and procedures to assure the machine shop are operating effectively and maintaining ISO certification.
Use blueprints to create molds using stick and tig welders.

Head machinist vs machinist apprentice skills

Common head machinist skills

Calipers, 35%
CNC, 30%
Engine Lathes, 9%
Safety Procedures, 6%
MIG, 4%
Drill Press, 4%

Common machinist apprentice skills

CNC Lathes, 23%
Grinders, 10%
Hand Tools, 7%
Calipers, 7%
Math, 5%
Drill Press, 4%