Mechanist vs lead machinist

The differences between mechanists and lead machinists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a mechanist and a lead machinist. Additionally, a lead machinist has an average salary of $51,691, which is higher than the $36,562 average annual salary of a mechanist.

The top three skills for a mechanist include pump equipment, operate cnc and cnc machines. The most important skills for a lead machinist are cnc lathes, grinders, and calipers.

Mechanist vs lead machinist overview

	Mechanist	Lead Machinist
Yearly salary	$36,562	$51,691
Hourly rate	$17.58	$24.85
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	3,746	10,892
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Mechanist vs lead machinist salary

Mechanists and lead machinists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mechanist	Lead Machinist
Average salary	$36,562	$51,691
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $52,000	Between $39,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between mechanist and lead machinist education

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

	Mechanist	Lead Machinist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Mechanist vs lead machinist demographics

Here are the differences between mechanists' and lead machinists' demographics:

	Mechanist	Lead Machinist
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6%	Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between mechanist and lead machinist duties and responsibilities

Mechanist example responsibilities.

Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers.
Appraise and diagnose problems with locomotives.
Service and overhaul locomotives as required.

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.

Mechanist vs lead machinist skills

Common mechanist skills

Pump Equipment, 28%
Operate CNC, 26%
CNC Machines, 14%
Diesel Engines, 13%
Drill Press, 10%
RAN, 10%

Common lead machinist skills

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