Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between model engine mechanics and staff 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 staff engineer. Additionally, a staff engineer has an average salary of $107,530, 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 staff engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Model Engine Mechanic | Staff Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,923 | $107,530 |
| Hourly rate | $36.98 | $51.70 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 69,146 | 277,011 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
Model engine mechanics and staff engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Model Engine Mechanic | Staff Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,923 | $107,530 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $105,000 | Between $69,000 And $167,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Cornerstone Research | Flexport |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a model engine mechanic and a staff engineer in terms of educational background:
| Model Engine Mechanic | Staff Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between model engine mechanics' and staff engineers' demographics:
| Model Engine Mechanic | Staff Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |