Post job

Senior machinist vs machinist

The differences between senior machinists and 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 senior machinist and a machinist. Additionally, a senior machinist has an average salary of $50,435, which is higher than the $42,147 average annual salary of a machinist.

The top three skills for a senior machinist include calipers, micrometers and grinders. The most important skills for a machinist are grinders, cnc machines, and micrometers.

Senior machinist vs machinist overview

Senior MachinistMachinist
Yearly salary$50,435$42,147
Hourly rate$24.25$20.26
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs11,73915,448
Job satisfaction55
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

What does a senior machinist do?

Senior Machinist produces components, and complex R&D; prototype machined parts by programming, setting up, operating computer numerical control, lathes, traditional conventional machines, and vertical limits. They maintain safety and quality standards and maintains supplies and equipment. This type of job also supervises employees and student employees. There are duties and responsibilities that they have to take on. Senior Machinist is entitled to provide technical guidance, leadership to faculty and students regarding design, and help them build complex prototypes, frequently requiring the development of new and improved tooling, techniques, and procedure.

What does a machinist do?

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.

Senior machinist vs machinist salary

Senior machinists and machinists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior MachinistMachinist
Average salary$50,435$42,147
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $67,000Between $29,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City-Eugene, OR
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Westinghouse Appliances Australia
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between senior machinist and machinist education

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

Senior MachinistMachinist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingPrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Senior machinist vs machinist demographics

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

Senior MachinistMachinist
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 95.9% Female, 4.1%Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%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%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between senior machinist and machinist duties and responsibilities

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

Machinist example responsibilities.

  • Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
  • Measure parts using micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, depth gauges, height gauges and CMM programs.
  • Utilize CNC lathes, mills, grinders, EDM s and other equipment to manufacture implants and/or instruments.
  • Operate manual machines such as engine lathe, boring mill, vertical and horizontal milling machines, grinders and honing machines.
  • Emphasize the ability to use dial calipers and micrometers to provide consistent repeatable measurements.
  • Operate manual/CNC lathes and used industry standard measuring equipment including manual/digital calipers, manual/digital micrometers and optical comparators
  • Show more

Senior machinist vs machinist skills

Common senior machinist skills
  • Calipers, 9%
  • Micrometers, 9%
  • Grinders, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • CNC Machines, 8%
  • Machine Tools, 6%
Common machinist skills
  • Grinders, 9%
  • CNC Machines, 9%
  • Micrometers, 8%
  • Calipers, 8%
  • Machine Shop, 6%
  • CNC Lathes, 6%

Browse production and manufacturing jobs