Instrument maker vs machinist mate

The differences between instrument makers 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 an instrument maker and a machinist mate. Additionally, a machinist mate has an average salary of $44,530, 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 machinist mate are auxiliary machinery, air compressors, and engine room.

Instrument maker vs machinist mate overview

	Instrument Maker	Machinist Mate
Yearly salary	$41,702	$44,530
Hourly rate	$20.05	$21.41
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	9,633	9,333
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 35%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Instrument maker vs machinist mate salary

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

	Instrument Maker	Machinist Mate
Average salary	$41,702	$44,530
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $56,000	Between $33,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between instrument maker and machinist mate education

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

	Instrument Maker	Machinist Mate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 35%
Most common major	Business	Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Instrument maker vs machinist mate demographics

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

	Instrument Maker	Machinist Mate
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%	Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%
Race ratio	Black 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, 14.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between instrument maker and machinist mate 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.

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.

Instrument maker vs machinist mate skills

Common instrument maker skills

CNC, 18%
Brazing, 11%
CAD, 9%
Grinders, 9%
Calipers, 7%
Hand Tools, 6%

Common machinist mate skills

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