Head machinist vs machinist mate

The differences between head machinists and machinist mates 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 mate. Additionally, a head machinist has an average salary of $46,416, which is higher than the $44,530 average annual salary of a machinist mate.

The top three skills for a head machinist include calipers, CNC and engine lathes. The most important skills for a machinist mate are auxiliary machinery, air compressors, and engine room.

Head machinist vs machinist mate overview

	Head Machinist	Machinist Mate
Yearly salary	$46,416	$44,530
Hourly rate	$22.32	$21.41
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	17,621	9,333
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 35%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Head machinist vs machinist mate salary

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

	Head Machinist	Machinist Mate
Average salary	$46,416	$44,530
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $61,000	Between $33,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between head machinist and machinist mate education

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

	Head Machinist	Machinist Mate
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 35%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Head machinist vs machinist mate demographics

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

	Head Machinist	Machinist Mate
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 99.3% Female, 0.7%	Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%
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, 4.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between head machinist and machinist mate 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 mate example responsibilities.

Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
Work on F/A-18 aircraft changing, ordering, troubleshooting and replacing parts for the engines.
Maintain refrigerating and air conditioning plants, ventilating blowers, pumps, and machine shop equipment.
Operate and maintain 4 aircraft elevators and 2 hangar bay divisional doors on the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Operate and maintain main engines and all associate pumps, purifiers and condensers, including evaporator water purifier systems.
Set up and operate conventional lathes, mills, grinders and blast valves in preparation for repair and painting.

Head machinist vs machinist mate skills

Common head machinist skills

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

Common machinist mate skills

Auxiliary Machinery, 7%
Air Compressors, 7%
Engine Room, 7%
Preventive Maintenance, 6%
Auxiliary Equipment, 6%
Corrective Maintenance, 5%