Engineers- Question about Salary

It's always a ripoff going through jobshops so do it if you need a job badly.

Assuming you are degreed or understand undergrad math then you should explore the engineering aspects of new technologies to increase your value and more importantly, to make more work fun.

Pickup knowledge of what is hot and cutting edge.

Learn the subject, absorbe the material, to the point of being very knowledable and productive.

Then you can work for others, or start your own venture.

On average, billing rate = 2.5-3.0 times salary. You've only been there one year. The company is investing in training you to be an engineer. Your salary is less than the average because of that extra cost.

Tell us what you make and where you live if you want real advice. If you're making 50k in NYC or something, it's time to look for a new job.

For the record, in my last job (which was very similar to what you're describing -- lived near expensive city, made mediocre wage, did a lot of drafting). I quit after 2 years to get an advanced degree.

2 years

3 years?

$100/hr

52k/yr + benefits... I guess my cost was probably near $50/hr.

2.5:1 wrote:

On average, billing rate = 2.5-3.0 times salary. You've only been there one year. The company is investing in training you to be an engineer. Your salary is less than the average because of that extra cost.

Not true- I came in as an experienced drafter, and quickly began producing for the company. Within two months of being hired, I was the most knowledgeable drafter in the office, and manage three others' drafting work.

Are you an engineer or an engineer technican. I've been licensed for 8 years and I've not touched a CADD program.

The 2.5 - 3 multiplier is fairly common. Gotta pay the books.

Do you make a fair salary based on skill, experience, and education? If you do, it's nice of your business what they charge for your services. If you don't, ask for a raise or find a new job.

Sounds like you work in the same industry as I do. Been here 15 yrs and make significantly less than people I went to college with. There's something about the construction industry where you basically get paid crap. Your best bet for a good salary is to get into pure design and if that doesn't work get a job as a manufacturing engineer in a big corporation. Whatever you do don't waste time. Once you've been in a certain industry for a while you become locked in to that industry and it's very very hard to change. Make the change while you're young. Construction is notorious for paying little...or better yet become a contractor and drive a BMW when the engineers are showing up to jobsites in their 10 yr old honda civics :) good luck.

2.5:1 wrote:

On average, billing rate = 2.5-3.0 times salary. You've only been there one year. The company is investing in training you to be an engineer. Your salary is less than the average because of that extra cost.

Where I'm from the multiplier is usually between 3 and 4 (at least at the 3 companies I worked for) and starting salary for MOST engineers is around 50k, but that depends on a lot. I started out at 48k, I know people who started at less and people who started at 60k.

My job is different as I am a consultant for a small company that does engineering analysis (FEA, CFD).

16 years

20 years

115-135 depending on the work/customer;

CAD drafter work charges 85-100

50% which has been the same since I started the current job 16 years ago. As my rate went up, I was paid more. I work remotely (I've been to the office twice in the last 9 years).

Companies shouldn't pay you entry level wages if they are able to charge journeyman wages for your efforts. (Lawyers are the worst at this).

That's terrible for the education and experience.

Should have gotten into med or dental school, eh?

Let's face it, you're not a doctor or a lawyer so you don't work in a government-structured monopoly profession. But engineers do have tremendous job mobility precisely because they're not overpaid. Find another job that might be more satisfying.

It's just life.

In my experience your biggest pay rises always come pretty soon after you hand in your resignation.

My motto after working for the same place for 20 years and then 5 places in 8 years is:

"I don't have to stay"

That's true about mobility. If say you spend 20 years making equity partner at a law firm and for whatever reason get pushed out, you will struggle to make the same money ever again.

BTW, a law firm is much like a pyramid scheme in how it works.

I didn't know branches of Engineering were like this too.

observer of careers wrote:

That's true about mobility. If say you spend 20 years making equity partner at a law firm and for whatever reason get pushed out, you will struggle to make the same money ever again.

BTW, a law firm is much like a pyramid scheme in how it works.

I didn't know branches of Engineering were like this too.

CPA firms are structured similar to this as well.

I worked as a consulting civil engineer for about 15 years, at three different firms. Our multiplier was 2.5 or so-this was true both is suburban Boston, the Colorado High Country, and suburban Denver. At the last firm, in Denver, the multiplier was 2.5, and we were expected to work 55 hours a week-so that kicked the multiplier up well over three, as they paid pure salary. They gave Christmas bonuses-of essentially a month's salary. One year, when that bonus had been cut to about 50% of it's traditional level(times were tough)-I did some calculation and realized that my bonus was less than minimum wage for the extra hours I worked. And the three owners drove Lexus SUVs, charged to the company.

Get your license, make some connections, work on your marketing skills, and writing skills, and start your own firm.

For the record- I live in Honolulu and make less than 45k per year. I have a degree in Civil Engineering, and had previous drafting experience, as well as two summer internships with a pipeline engineering company. My previous drafting experience is why I was thrown mainly into a drafting position. From what you all are saying, 18% seems a bit low, especially when you consider that my billable rate is a bit higher because of the cost of doing business here. While it is true that most jobs in HI pay lower than cities of similar cost of living, it seems as though my company pays less "because everyone else does."

Pipeline experience and you're working for 45k in Hawaii? Jeez, if it's money you want, join up with petroleum companies! You'll make twice your current salary!

Poor Engineer wrote:

2.5:1 wrote:

On average, billing rate = 2.5-3.0 times salary. You've only been there one year. The company is investing in training you to be an engineer. Your salary is less than the average because of that extra cost.

Not true- I came in as an experienced drafter, and quickly began producing for the company. Within two months of being hired, I was the most knowledgeable drafter in the office, and manage three others' drafting work.

You are wrong. The standard markup is 2:5-3.0 to 1.

You are doomed to fail in life, drafter. You manage other drafters? That is no accomplishment.

fdsfadsfds wrote:

Pipeline experience and you're working for 45k in Hawaii? Jeez, if it's money you want, join up with petroleum companies! You'll make twice your current salary!

Yeah, let me just move to North Dakota...