Precision machinist vs lead machinist

The differences between precision machinists 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 precision machinist and a lead machinist. Additionally, a lead machinist has an average salary of $51,691, which is higher than the $51,634 average annual salary of a precision machinist.

The top three skills for a precision machinist include CNC, grinders and calipers. The most important skills for a lead machinist are cnc lathes, grinders, and calipers.

Precision machinist vs lead machinist overview

	Precision Machinist	Lead Machinist
Yearly salary	$51,634	$51,691
Hourly rate	$24.82	$24.85
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	9,281	10,892
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Precision machinist vs lead machinist salary

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

	Precision Machinist	Lead Machinist
Average salary	$51,634	$51,691
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $68,000	Between $39,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between precision machinist and lead machinist education

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

	Precision Machinist	Lead Machinist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Precision machinist vs lead machinist demographics

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

	Precision Machinist	Lead Machinist
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5%	Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 72.3% 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 precision machinist and lead machinist duties and responsibilities

Precision machinist example responsibilities.

Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
Programme, set up and operate Charmille 290f wire EDM with Fanuc controls.
Manufacture plates using CMS mills and Haas gantry mills.
Work on EDM, manual milling, turning and engraving machines.
Conduct close tolerance machining operations utilizing lathes, millers, broaches, and grinders.
Calculate dimensions and tolerances, and machine parts to specifications using lathes, milling machines, and grinders.

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.

Precision machinist vs lead machinist skills

Common precision machinist skills

CNC, 31%
Grinders, 12%
Calipers, 6%
G Code, 5%
Manual Machines, 5%
Machine Shop Equipment, 5%

Common lead machinist skills

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