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Mechanical contractor vs chief engineer

The differences between mechanical contractors and chief engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a mechanical contractor and a chief engineer. Additionally, a chief engineer has an average salary of $108,050, which is higher than the $72,882 average annual salary of a mechanical contractor.

The top three skills for a mechanical contractor include plumbing, CAD and preventive maintenance. The most important skills for a chief engineer are HVAC, plumbing, and customer service.

Mechanical contractor vs chief engineer overview

Mechanical ContractorChief Engineer
Yearly salary$72,882$108,050
Hourly rate$35.04$51.95
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs28,89788,473
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

Mechanical contractor vs chief engineer salary

Mechanical contractors and chief engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mechanical ContractorChief Engineer
Average salary$72,882$108,050
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $100,000Between $65,000 And $177,000
Highest paying City-Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-BGC Partners
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between mechanical contractor and chief engineer education

There are a few differences between a mechanical contractor and a chief engineer in terms of educational background:

Mechanical ContractorChief Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeMichigan Technological UniversityMichigan Technological University

Mechanical contractor vs chief engineer demographics

Here are the differences between mechanical contractors' and chief engineers' demographics:

Mechanical ContractorChief Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 10.2% White, 71.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between mechanical contractor and chief engineer duties and responsibilities

Mechanical contractor example responsibilities.

  • Lead all CFD and FEA (shock and vibration) efforts, including product-performance optimization and impact of DFMA.
  • Lead weekly toolbox safety meetings, and monitor work to ensure full compliance with OSHA / HAZWHOPPER compliance requirements.
  • Manage paperwork associate with HVAC procedures.
  • Perform service calls on all types of heating and a/c equipment.
  • Service A/C units up to 40 ton.
  • Install 2 to 4 PVC and CPVC piping for wastes off of equipment.
  • Show more

Chief engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead SQL performance overhaul for SaaS web applications.
  • Manage A/E design contracts, evaluate cost proposals and provide construction inspection.
  • Maintain HVAC/R equipment and kitchen equipment throughout a number of different properties that LPC manages.
  • Manage staff, contracts, vendor relations, bids, projects, RFP's and negotiations.
  • Co-Authore OSHA VPP application and lead ongoing safety training and documentation administration.
  • Initiate and manage several CMMS programs for productivity and inventory control programs.
  • Show more

Mechanical contractor vs chief engineer skills

Common mechanical contractor skills
  • Plumbing, 14%
  • CAD, 9%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 8%
  • Mechanical Systems, 7%
  • Ice Machines, 4%
  • Heat Pumps, 4%
Common chief engineer skills
  • HVAC, 12%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Life Safety Systems, 4%
  • Boilers, 4%
  • Ladders, 3%

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