The issue of whether we meet on the level as to our Masonic position: It is my view that when in lodge, we meet on the level as to our profane position, and when out of lodge, we are on the level as to our Masonic Office.
A Master has certain powers when acting in office, varying by jurisdiction. For instance, in my mother jurisdiction, a Master's ruling cannot be appealed. In most, he governs the lodge when it is at work. In many, he can rap a person down. In some, stop the meetings and conduct a disciplinary process for acts in the lodge.
If you have served as Master in the US, I suspect you assented to the ancient charges (in the language of that time), including the "homage" due a Grand Master and his officers for the time being, and "veneration" of the successors of the original rulers. You may have assented to the Ancient Charges. Those indidicate in the language of that century the "reverence" due a Master and wardens.
It is typical in English speaking jurisdictions to have a charge to the brethren at the installation/investiture: " brethren, such is the nature of our institution that as some must of necessity rule and teach, so others must learn to submit and obey."
Importantly, it continues: "Humility in each is an essential duty."
Thus, the ritual supports both points: we do not meet on the level, but we are equal as men.
In many jurisdictions, a grand master has near plenary power.
It is common that Masonic lodges are constructed so that officers sit above others during the meeting. That, you will agree, means they are physically not on the level. You will agree that in Masonry, our ritual is symbolic. There is symbolic meaning to this physical placement during the meeting. And, at the end of a meeting, the officers step down from the elevated positions to show they again meet on the level as to masonic rank.
Let me put it another way: Unless you are self employed, someone in your workplace has the power to fire you. While you are equal as to your humanity, clearly, you are not on the level in the workplace. If you are in the military, while we teach that everyone is equal, clearly, you know that we do not meet on the level.
I have been a judge and an attorney. When I appear before a judge as an attorney, we are neither physically nor professionally on the level, even though we are equal as human beings and I may be more the knowledgeable. If you are a criminal defendant, and the judge has the power to place you in prison, you will surely agree that you're not meeting on the level, even though you are due the respect of a fellow being.