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The differences between machinists and tool technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a machinist, becoming a tool technician takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a tool technician has an average salary of $42,908, which is higher than the $42,147 average annual salary of a machinist.
The top three skills for a machinist include grinders, cnc machines and micrometers. The most important skills for a tool technician are grinders, hand tools, and CNC.
| Machinist | Tool Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,147 | $42,908 |
| Hourly rate | $20.26 | $20.63 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 15,448 | 78,258 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Average age | 48 | 54 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Machinists are skilled professionals who create metal works by using different machines. They work with clients to bring their clients' vision to life. They study the blueprints of the product that needs to be done and identify the parts that will need fabrication through machining. They then prepare the materials and equipment. Machinists use different tools such as grinders, drills, lathes, polishers, and milling equipment to create parts that are made of metal. They may sometimes work with other materials such as wood or plastic, but this is seldom. Machinists are expected to be proficient in the use of the machines, to be precise with their work, and can work within the committed timeline.
Tool technicians are skilled professionals who are responsible for repairing a variety of pneumatic and hand tools as well as disassemble defective electrical equipment in a manufacturing firm using these hand tools. These technicians are required to coordinate with other areas of the company to schedule and perform preventive maintenance duties. They must provide support for CNC operators by setting up the caliper and micrometer of all the CNC machines. Tool technicians must also assist coworkers in ordering materials and purchasing machine parts.
Machinists and tool technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Machinist | Tool Technician | |
| Average salary | $42,147 | $42,908 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $59,000 | Between $29,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Eugene, OR | Fort Wayne, IN |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Indiana |
| Best paying company | Westinghouse Appliances Australia | Rivian |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between a machinist and a tool technician in terms of educational background:
| Machinist | Tool Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between machinists' and tool technicians' demographics:
| Machinist | Tool Technician | |
| Average age | 48 | 54 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 6.7% White, 70.8% 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, 84.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |