Precision machinist vs tool technician

The differences between precision 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 precision machinist, becoming a tool technician takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a precision machinist has an average salary of $51,634, which is higher than the $42,908 average annual salary of a tool technician.

The top three skills for a precision machinist include CNC, grinders and calipers. The most important skills for a tool technician are grinders, hand tools, and CNC.

Precision machinist vs tool technician overview

	Precision Machinist	Tool Technician
Yearly salary	$51,634	$42,908
Hourly rate	$24.82	$20.63
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	9,281	78,258
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	48	54
Years of experience	4	6

Precision machinist vs tool technician salary

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

	Precision Machinist	Tool Technician
Average salary	$51,634	$42,908
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $68,000	Between $29,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City	-	Fort Wayne, IN
Highest paying state	-	Indiana
Best paying company	-	Rivian
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between precision machinist and tool technician education

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

	Precision Machinist	Tool Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Business
Most common college	-	-

Precision machinist vs tool technician demographics

Here are the differences between precision machinists' and tool technicians' demographics:

	Precision Machinist	Tool Technician
Average age	48	54
Gender ratio	Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
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, 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%

Differences between precision machinist and tool technician 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.

Tool technician example responsibilities.

Use specialize tools and machinery (CNC milling machine, manual lathe, manual milling machine and surface grinders . )
Program and operate wire EDM machine, milling machines, drill presses, surface grinders, lathes and jig grinders.
Perform mig, tig, and stick welds.
Skil welder utilizing TIG, MIG and stick welding processes.
Work on and troubleshoot the press machinery using calipers, micrometers and other precision tools.
Learned to use a TIG welder . )

Precision machinist vs tool technician skills

Common precision machinist skills

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

Common tool technician skills

Grinders, 11%
Hand Tools, 10%
CNC, 9%
Calipers, 7%
Micrometers, 6%
Jigs, 6%