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Instrument maker vs journeyman machinist

The differences between instrument makers and journeyman machinists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an instrument maker and a journeyman machinist. Additionally, a journeyman machinist has an average salary of $50,598, which is higher than the $41,702 average annual salary of an instrument maker.

The top three skills for an instrument maker include CNC, brazing and CAD. The most important skills for a journeyman machinist are manual lathes, grinders, and hand tools.

Instrument maker vs journeyman machinist overview

Instrument MakerJourneyman Machinist
Yearly salary$41,702$50,598
Hourly rate$20.05$24.33
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs9,63313,800
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Associate Degree, 36%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

Instrument maker vs journeyman machinist salary

Instrument makers and journeyman machinists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Instrument MakerJourneyman Machinist
Average salary$41,702$50,598
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $56,000Between $37,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between instrument maker and journeyman machinist education

There are a few differences between an instrument maker and a journeyman machinist in terms of educational background:

Instrument MakerJourneyman Machinist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Associate Degree, 36%
Most common majorBusinessPrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Instrument maker vs journeyman machinist demographics

Here are the differences between instrument makers' and journeyman machinists' demographics:

Instrument MakerJourneyman Machinist
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 89.1% Female, 10.9%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between instrument maker and journeyman machinist duties and responsibilities

Instrument maker example responsibilities.

  • Mount DCS and PLC cabinets and familiar with there systems.
  • Work safely along with all proper ppe, and with NEC, nfpa 70e, and osha standards.
  • Loop checking and control logic simulation from DCS panel to field instruments.
  • Perform instrument quality checks using gauges, micrometers, calipers, and other measuring equipment.
  • Design, machine, and assemble special cutting tools, jigs, and fixtures for holding parts and removing metal.
  • Work independently to machine parts to tight tolerance, design and implement fixtures and jigs while meeting aggressive production quantities.
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Journeyman machinist example responsibilities.

  • Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
  • Use CMM for 1st article inspection.
  • Inspect parts off cmm and adjust offsets accordingly.
  • Experience using micrometers, calipers, indicators, and other precision measuring tools.
  • Used micrometers, calipers, probing systems to verify precise measurements and make accurate cuts.
  • Plan, design, engineer, fabricate new tools, jigs, fixtures and hot form bending dies.
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Instrument maker vs journeyman machinist skills

Common instrument maker skills
  • CNC, 18%
  • Brazing, 11%
  • CAD, 9%
  • Grinders, 9%
  • Calipers, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
Common journeyman machinist skills
  • Manual Lathes, 12%
  • Grinders, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • CNC Vertical, 7%
  • Calipers, 5%
  • Machine Shop Equipment, 4%

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