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Aerospace Technician vs Machinist: pay, jobs and what each takes
Technicians and machinists side by side: what each earns by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and by the jobs open today, how many jobs there are, and the education and credentials each takes.
Aerospace Technician vs Machinist, side by side
| Technician | Machinist | |
|---|---|---|
| Open jobs on this board today | 755 | 157 |
| Median posted hourly pay (open jobs) | $73,882.25 | $111,275 |
| Median hourly pay (BLS) | - | - |
| Median yearly pay (BLS) | - | - |
| Projected employment change (BLS) | - | - |
| Openings a year (BLS) | - | - |
| Typical education to enter (BLS) | - | - |
| Credentials | IPC J-STD-001 soldering and IPC-A-610 workmanship (with the space addendum); Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certificate (A&P); Security clearance (Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI) | Machining credentials (NIMS) |
Aerospace Technician vs Machinist: common questions
Are there more technician or machinist jobs?
On this board today: 755 open technician jobs and 157 machinist jobs, read from each employer's own job board.
What is the difference between a technician and a machinist?
Space companies hire technicians to build, integrate and test rockets and spacecraft by hand, on the factory floor, at test stands and at the launch site. Rocket and spacecraft makers hire machinists to cut the engine parts, structures and fittings that fly, on CNC mills, lathes and multi-axis machines.
How do you become a technician or a machinist?
Hands-on experience, a trade school or military background; many roles need no degree. A trade program or apprenticeship and time on CNC mills and lathes. Each occupation's page lists its credentials and who grants them: Technicians, Machinists.
Other careers compared
- Aerospace Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer
- Propulsion Engineer vs Aerospace Engineer
- Systems Engineer vs Software Engineer
- Electrical Engineer vs RF Engineer
- GNC Engineer vs Software Engineer
- Test Engineer vs Systems Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer vs Quality Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer vs Materials Engineer
- Machinist vs Welder
- Aerospace Technician vs Manufacturing Engineer
- Program Manager vs Product Manager
- Data Scientist vs Software Engineer
- Mission Operations Engineer vs Systems Engineer
Sources and method
Pay and outlook are BLS's figures for each occupation's main SOC code; open jobs and their posted median are this board's, counted as each occupation's own page counts them.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Employment Projections
- SpaceJobs.Now job board: open jobs read every night from each employer's own careers site
Cite this page
SpaceJobs.Now. (2026). Aerospace Technician vs Machinist: Pay, Jobs and Requirements Compared. Data as of 7 Nov 2026. https://spacejobs.now/compare-careers/aerospace-technician-vs-machinist