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Mechanist vs senior machinist

The differences between mechanists and senior 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 senior machinist. Additionally, a senior machinist has an average salary of $50,435, 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 senior machinist are calipers, micrometers, and grinders.

Mechanist vs senior machinist overview

MechanistSenior Machinist
Yearly salary$36,562$50,435
Hourly rate$17.58$24.25
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs3,74611,739
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%Associate Degree, 33%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

Mechanist vs senior machinist salary

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

MechanistSenior Machinist
Average salary$36,562$50,435
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $52,000Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between mechanist and senior machinist education

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

MechanistSenior Machinist
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%Associate Degree, 33%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyPrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Mechanist vs senior machinist demographics

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

MechanistSenior Machinist
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 94.4% Female, 5.6%Male, 95.9% Female, 4.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 70.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between mechanist and senior 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.

Senior machinist example responsibilities.

  • Manage tooling responsibilies, provide tool/fixture design and fabrication which improve productivity and consistent quality.
  • Inspect machine parts with calipers, micrometers, dial bores, and CMM.
  • Produce custom tools, jigs, or dies.
  • Experience with GE Fanuc systems.
  • Modify and create tooling using milling machines, lathes, and grinders.
  • Program set up and run mazak mill, and lathes, inspect work
  • Show more

Mechanist vs senior machinist skills

Common mechanist skills
  • Pump Equipment, 28%
  • Operate CNC, 26%
  • CNC Machines, 14%
  • Diesel Engines, 13%
  • Drill Press, 10%
  • RAN, 10%
Common senior machinist skills
  • Calipers, 9%
  • Micrometers, 9%
  • Grinders, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • CNC Machines, 8%
  • Machine Tools, 6%

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