How big a raise after I pass my PE??
How big a raise after I pass my PE??
(OP)
I just found out I passed the electrical PE exam in California (WOOOOHOOOO!!! Thank god thats over) and the bosses today offered me a raise. Originally, the big boss had mentioned that they were considering promoting me early (basically skipping a step) when I got my PE. Today I met with him and he decided that they would put off the promotion, but move the raise (which usually come in December) to now. I had previously had a 12-15% raise number in my mind including the promotion. Today they offered a 7% raise and a $2000 bonus for passing the PE (every new PE gets the bonus).
My question to all of you, my excellent professional collegues, what should I expect/accept in this situation? Any suggestions on how to handle it? Most of my friends/family are not in the industry, and I'm sure as hell not going to ask my coworkers, so any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
My question to all of you, my excellent professional collegues, what should I expect/accept in this situation? Any suggestions on how to handle it? Most of my friends/family are not in the industry, and I'm sure as hell not going to ask my coworkers, so any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks.





RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Guess not what you wanted to hear huh?
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
My PE wasn't a requirement of the job, but my bosses boss was a PE and was pushing it. No raise. No bonus. My chump boss even refused to let me get new business cards with the PE on them until he was councelled by his boss.
They just started pushing the rare thing that needed a stamp my way (in Oil & Gas there aren't many things that need stamped). It was nice having the absolute last word about how things were done, no one ever tried to pressure me into stamping something that wasn't "right" to my specifications.
And getting the PE opened a whole bunch of opportunities after retirement that have been worth many times some pissant bonus.
David
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
I have since accepted a position with a consulting firm where the PE is more highly regarded- not rquired, but heavily favored as it makes the company look better and assists in winning business and the odd stamping may be required every once in a while. At this new job, I am making a good bit more than at the last one- although still on the low side as far as I'm concerned.
It bothers me that your company offered you what they felt was right and now you have to just take it. I can't stand that one-sidedness. I might keep looking around to see what I was really worth if I were you. If you aren't happy with what they gave you, you can point out to your boss what you can get elsewhere. Of course, at that point you might have to be prepared to move elsewhere if need be.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
It seems like they really didn't give you 7% since they're rolling your passing the PE in with the yearly raises but giving it to you early. So if your typical yearly raise is 3% then you really got a 4% raise for passing the PE. If the PE is a requirement for your career path within the company I would be ambivalent regarding the bosses offer and start shopping my services on the open market.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Is the $2,000 bonus added to your salary or is it a one time bonus?
I think the raise and bonus sounds pretty good to me. I plan on getting my PE next year when I'm eligible and if I get anything close to what you were offered after I pass, I'd be pretty satisfied. Especially after hearing some of the other's replies.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
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RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Fortunately for me, I work for a firm that designs large mostly industrial buildings (hospitals, data centers, etc), and everything that goes out of the office must have a PE stamp on it. Even though everyone could use the lead electrical and mechanical engineer's stamps, having the ability to sign your own drawings is looked upon as a definite positive.
The $2000 bonus is a one time thing, and its not looking like many people will be getting much of a raise at the end of the year as the company had a rough year (we kept on a handful of employees that were mostly idle waiting for a huge job to start and it ended up falling through). I'm in a pretty strong negotiating position, I don't want to leave, the bosses don't want me to leave, and both parties know this intention in the other. Be that as it may, I'm in a location where the A&E market is large and strong, and there is a relatively big turnover at most of the firms, so if need be, there is another job out there for me without having to relocate.
Both parties left the meeting yesterday knowing that a compromise would be reached. The bosses seemed willing to increase their offer, and I think we can come to an agreement. I'm considering countering with a 9-10% increase plus 5 extra days of vacation. I also may be able to negotiate the percentage of med/dental insurance I pay as the firm sets it on a sliding scale (higher paid employee's pay a larger portion of the insurance premiums, and this raise would put me in the highest bracket)
I really appreciate all the feedback. I'm truly learning a lot about the industry. Thanks and keep'em coming!!
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
I haven't even ordered the stamp and that was over 2 (two) years ago.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Keep in mind as other post their estimates of appropriate increases that you live in CA which has a higher everthing in terms of money. In the midwest we see bumps of between $4000 and $6000 for the PE.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
JAE, what is the percentage raise for the $4-6G? I moved out here to the City by the Bay from the great state of Wisconsin, I am unfortunatly fully aware of the cost of living difference.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
I got approval for a $250 bonus from my boss.
When I took the paperwork to HR, the rep said, "$250?! Well, he didn't say if that was before or after taxes." So she gave me $250 after taxes.
There are several website and industry magazines that do annual salary surveys so you can judge to see if you're getting paid what you're worth.
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This is normally the space where people post something insightful.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Instead, I finally got the review I was promised after being "promoted" into my new position - I call it more of a transfer. Because I asked for a raise with my PE, the decided to call it a review because there is no standard operating procedure to increases in salary for additional certificates. So, to at least recognize my achievement, they gave me the raise I was supposed to get with this new position because they had an SOP written dealing with salary adjustments for job changes. The only difference, rather than only getting the 3-4% raise for the position transfer, I got 7%.
So basically, your 7% number with an extra cash incentive looks pretty good to me.
--Scott
For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Thanks.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Congratulations on getting your PE! Now you can easily prove to anyone that you are a real engineer by having them look you up on the state website. No guessing required.
I got mine 5 years ago. My employer didn't do anything for me financially, but they are well known tightwads. One of my coworkers just got his. He isn't getting a salary increase, but will be reimbursed for his expenses (review class, exam fees, etc).
Some employers don't care if you have a PE at all. Others care (and reward) greatly. It all varies.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Cost of Living Calculator
There are many out there - do a search for Cost of Living Calculator on Google.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
I moved from Milwaukee to San Francisco, where the cost of living is 71% greater but the salaries are only 13% higher. And took a pay cut. For the love of a great women. That didn't last.
Sometimes ya gotta see how it plays out.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Maui
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
In the automotive industry the PE carries some weight. Your analyses are acceptable without question.
For the most part my PE has been considered a mark of expertise and reliability, but I never had more salary connected with the PE.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
"
Hahahaha
Not on this planet.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
The main secrets I can offer on the Mechancial PE are these:
1) Get the MERM (Mechanical Engineer's Reference Manual) by Professional Publications Inc. (PPI). You can try www.PPI2Pass.com, but can also find it at Amazon.com. Read through most chapters, work in-chapter and end-of-chapter problems.
2) Get the NCEES Practice Problems book. Work the problems.
3) Put in a total of about 300 hours of studying, reading, working problems, etc... (3-4 months maybe)
4) Organize notes, etc....
5) Join a board where they discuss these things (www.engineerboards.com) or even PPI2Pass.com. PPI's site is way outdated and difficult to navigate so a couple of people from there created engineerboards.com.
Good luck!
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
I can see it carrying some weight in the automotive industry- at least in the US. Maybe not in some other countries.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
If lay offs occur, all things being equal, the PEs might be the ones to stay. If a new job is in order, the PE license might give you the extra leg-up on the competition. Some jobs do require the licensure. If you decide to go your own way, the license will allow self-employment as an engineer.
There are many benefits. Its bad, but don't let lack of raises or bonus stop you.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Sorry about the spelling, but my dictionary doesn't have that word in it and I don't have a copy of the book by my side.
--Scott
For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
RE: How big a raise after I pass my PE??
That's just a sin.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com