Lead machinist vs tool maker

The differences between lead machinists and tool makers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a lead machinist, becoming a tool maker takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a tool maker has an average salary of $52,443, which is higher than the $51,691 average annual salary of a lead machinist.

The top three skills for a lead machinist include cnc lathes, grinders and calipers. The most important skills for a tool maker are grinders, jigs, and hand tools.

Lead machinist vs tool maker overview

	Lead Machinist	Tool Maker
Yearly salary	$51,691	$52,443
Hourly rate	$24.85	$25.21
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	10,892	18,166
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Associate Degree, 37%
Average age	48	54
Years of experience	4	6

Lead machinist vs tool maker salary

Lead machinists and tool makers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Lead Machinist	Tool Maker
Average salary	$51,691	$52,443
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $68,000	Between $40,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	-	Sterling Heights, MI
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	General Electric
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between lead machinist and tool maker education

There are a few differences between a lead machinist and a tool maker in terms of educational background:

	Lead Machinist	Tool Maker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Associate Degree, 37%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Lead machinist vs tool maker demographics

Here are the differences between lead machinists' and tool makers' demographics:

	Lead Machinist	Tool Maker
Average age	48	54
Gender ratio	Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%	Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.5% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 2.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between lead machinist and tool maker duties and responsibilities

Lead machinist example responsibilities.

Manage and perform programming of CNC mills, lathes and EDM equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition and control systems.
Experience with cutting different materials (aluminum, titanium, inconel, mild and stainless steels).
Program, edit, and setup of CNC lathe with Fanuc control.
Work machines such as; Haas CNC vertical and horizontal mills and lathes.
Perform gluing, soldering, brazing and gas, arc, welding operations.
Lead setup/ supervisor for a cell of two Haas lathes and two Haas mills.

Tool maker example responsibilities.

Programme setup and run cnc lathe).
Weld parts to customer prints with both MIG and TIG welders.
Used cad to machine parts to spec, construct assemblies, and fixtures.
Train and assist others with the use of the CAD/CAM software (Surfcam).
Lift, position, and secure machine parts on surface plates or worktables using hoists.
Design and build press brake tooling, robotic weld fixtures, weld and inspection fixtures.

Lead machinist vs tool maker skills

Common lead machinist skills

CNC Lathes, 9%
Grinders, 8%
Calipers, 8%
Machine Tools, 6%
Aluminum, 6%
Troubleshoot, 5%

Common tool maker skills

Grinders, 12%
Jigs, 12%
Hand Tools, 8%
Machine Tools, 7%
Calipers, 5%
CNC Machines, 5%