Model engine mechanic vs chief engineer

The differences between model engine mechanics 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 model engine mechanic and a chief engineer. Additionally, a chief engineer has an average salary of $108,050, which is higher than the $76,923 average annual salary of a model engine mechanic.

The top three skills for a model engine mechanic include C++, linux and LS-DYNA. The most important skills for a chief engineer are HVAC, plumbing, and customer service.

Model engine mechanic vs chief engineer overview

	Model Engine Mechanic	Chief Engineer
Yearly salary	$76,923	$108,050
Hourly rate	$36.98	$51.95
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	69,146	88,473
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	6	6

What does a model engine mechanic do?

A model engine mechanic repairs and deals with small engines that power machinery such as lawn mowers, chain saws, or recreational sporting equipment. They are responsible for diagnosing, adjusting and repairing machinery. They are also responsible for performing routine machinery maintenance, lubricating parts, reinstalling parts, and interacting with the client to explain equipment issues. For this position, they need a mechanics certification.

What does a chief engineer do?

A chief engineer is responsible for monitoring the engineering department's overall operations, ensuring performance efficiency, and everyone's strict compliance with the safety standards and regulatory procedures. Chief engineers manage the distribution of the tasks to the team, communicate with the clients and management for instructions and specifications, monitor expenses and forecast sales reports, analyze and approve designs, negotiate contracts, and process disputes. A chief engineer must have excellent knowledge of the engineering disciplines and exemplary leadership skills to handle the team's performance towards the company's objectives.

Model engine mechanic vs chief engineer salary

Model engine mechanics and chief engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Model Engine Mechanic	Chief Engineer
Average salary	$76,923	$108,050
Salary range	Between $56,000 And $105,000	Between $65,000 And $177,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Cornerstone Research	BGC Partners
Best paying industry	Technology	Transportation

Differences between model engine mechanic and chief engineer education

There are a few differences between a model engine mechanic and a chief engineer in terms of educational background:

	Model Engine Mechanic	Chief Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	Carnegie Mellon University	Michigan Technological University

Model engine mechanic vs chief engineer demographics

Here are the differences between model engine mechanics' and chief engineers' demographics:

	Model Engine Mechanic	Chief Engineer
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 16.1% White, 67.8% 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 Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between model engine mechanic and chief engineer duties and responsibilities

Model engine mechanic example responsibilities.

Manage automation projects including purchasing, scheduling fabrication and assembly, debugging, and delivery to customer.
Provide fundamental understanding of thermoacoustic mechanism and assistance to device prototyping design of glass incorporating thermoacoustics.
Develop the flow of the accurate timing model for Verilog simulations for more accurate simulations results using SiliconSmart and PrimeTime.
Develop the flow of the accurate timing model for Verilog simulations for more accurate simulations results using SiliconSmart and PrimeTime.

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.

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Model engine mechanic vs chief engineer skills

Common model engine mechanic skills

C++, 29%
Linux, 14%
LS-DYNA, 9%
Prototyping, 5%
In-House, 5%
CATIA, 4%

Common chief engineer skills

HVAC, 12%
Plumbing, 10%
Customer Service, 7%
Life Safety Systems, 4%
Boilers, 4%
Ladders, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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