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Instrument maker vs machinist apprentice

The differences between instrument makers 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 an instrument maker and a machinist apprentice. Additionally, an instrument maker has an average salary of $41,702, which is higher than the $37,681 average annual salary of a machinist apprentice.

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

Instrument maker vs machinist apprentice overview

Instrument MakerMachinist Apprentice
Yearly salary$41,702$37,681
Hourly rate$20.05$18.12
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs9,63321,288
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 39%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

Instrument maker vs machinist apprentice salary

Instrument makers and machinist apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Instrument MakerMachinist Apprentice
Average salary$41,702$37,681
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $56,000Between $30,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between instrument maker and machinist apprentice education

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

Instrument MakerMachinist Apprentice
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 39%
Most common majorBusinessPrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Instrument maker vs machinist apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between instrument makers' and machinist apprentices' demographics:

Instrument MakerMachinist Apprentice
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 89.1% Female, 10.9%Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
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, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between instrument maker and machinist apprentice 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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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.
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Instrument maker vs machinist apprentice skills

Common instrument maker skills
  • CNC, 18%
  • Brazing, 11%
  • CAD, 9%
  • Grinders, 9%
  • Calipers, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
Common machinist apprentice skills
  • CNC Lathes, 23%
  • Grinders, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Calipers, 7%
  • Math, 5%
  • Drill Press, 4%

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