Where do mech-E salaries top out?
Where do mech-E salaries top out?
(OP)
Sure this question is broad and it's easy to reply by saying it's broad, but if we ignored the broadness for a moment, where are most mech-E salaries topping out these days? Let's assume you're not management, never will be, just a topped out engineer.
$80,000? $90,000, $100,000+?
$80,000? $90,000, $100,000+?





RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
Salary.com ME V
TTFN
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
Can't really count a fellow as a regular ME.
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
TTFN
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
Have you done a search of the differen engineering society/association of each state? They usually have a web site and post their salary survey.
These are usually broken down by industry, and years from graduation, and level of experience, and etc. Some even have multiple curves, such as years of experience and level of responsibility.
Figures are usually given as D1 D25 Median D75 D90.
Is this more what you are looking for?
"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: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
Here is an interesting site. It's not from a board, but it seems useful.
http
Let me know if this is what you are looking for.
"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: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
I rather hope he gets that because he strives to be a good engineer.
FWIW in Australia our range is about the same, 110 for normal mechanical engineers, rather more than that for very senior guys, or those who work in mining or oil.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
But you guys will tell me that is not realistic, and of course thats just the oil/petrochem business. Of course everyone will be laid off before long.
I would however disagree.....
-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
--------------------
How much do YOU owe?
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
--------------------
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
On the other hand, you might pick a specialization that goes through a desperate skills shortage and you can cash in - this site has a few people who've found themselves at the 10+ year point in their career and find themselves in great demand.
My advice is that staying a mech engineer all your career should be done because you like the job, not because you want to get rich. If money's your goal, start now and you could be a hedge fund manager in 10 years.
Moral - if you must bang your head against a brick wall, find a wall you like.
LewTam Inc.
Petrophysicist, Leading Hand, Natural Horseman, Prickle Farmer, Crack Shot, Venerable Yogi.
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
www.engineersalary.com
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
TTFN
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
Perhaps it all fluctuates due to local economies, industry sector changes, etc....
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
I believe the pay scale for Design Engineer with 8yrs experience is around 74k.
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
I've been in the oil/petrochem industry in Houston for over 14 years now, and I've worked with 4 different companies. In my experience, it takes more than 10 years to hit that $100k mark.
Most of the engineers I've worked with in the EPC business it is closer to 15-20 years before they break $100K. I don't think I've run across one engineer at the 10 year mark who has been paid that well.
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
I know several - especially with the industry going through the demand that it is now. Piping Designers are doing mighty well also.
Of course, there is going to be a range there. Obviously, people like yourself who have a couple more years than I do had to wait a few more years since graduation for the industry to hit this hot time. Plus, 14 years ago, when I was in school, was something of a down time for new grads.
Edward L. Klein
Pipe Stress Engineer
Houston, Texas
"All the world is a Spring"
All opinions expressed here are my own and not my company's.
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
It seems the oil/petrochem industry is better than the flow control industry. My company, making the ball valves, is in Dallas, the salary for chief Engineer with 20-30 years experience is only around 80-90K. What's the exact field that you have worked in houston? Downhole drilling? Subsea wellhead service?
I know Piping designer with 5 yrs experience can reach 100K easily in houston.
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
I've worked as a process systems engineer for two of the EPC companies doing onshore refineries and LNG plant design; P&IDs, hydraulics, that sort of stuff. I've worked mechanical equipment engineer for another EPC company doing offshore platform design; P&IDs, equipment design, specification and purchase, commissiong, etc. Now I am a project engineer for a fourth EPC company.
I do know that piping designers are paid extremely well, but that usually comes with working a lot of overtime. I was thinking in terms of base salary.
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
Having said that you are probably right, a ten year guy is probably in the low 90s on average base. 15 year guys are over 100 for sure. But he was talking about topping out, so I was thinking the high end of the range, and I was thinking total compensation, salary + bonus, not just base salary. I do know a bunch of 10 year guys that are at or over 100 on total compensation.
-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
September 2006
Education: BS Mechanical Engineering
Location: California
Years Experience: 10+
Industry: Refining
Salary Range: to $135-160K
Privately held company. Leader in their industry. Largest manufacturer, producer and distributor of their products in the western US. Great benefits, relocation.
The Maintenance Manager:
supervises and develops all personnel and functions of the maintenance department
discusses upcoming work and work in progress with Operations, Terminal and Technical Services Managers
insures that the Maintenance budgets are within acceptable levels
insure that all company procedures and policies and labor contracts are properly administered and adhered to
institute and fully support a comprehensive safety program in accordance with corporate and governmental guidelines and regulations
Maintain existing process areas, terminal tankfields
initiate proper and effective planning to insure that the work flows in an efficient manner
insure that contractors are performing work efficiently and correctly
plan, estimate and execute major maintenance work such as turnarounds
determine, develop and initiate enhanced maintenance systems and policies to improve the plant maintenance efficiency
prepare and manage maintenance projects
Department consists of 5 exempt, 27 hourly and 25 contractors.
Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or 10 years refinery supervisory experience. Must possess the managerial and supervisory skills to direct the activities of a complete Maintenance Department. Must have a good working knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety requirements. Must have working knowledge of API, ASME and ANSI and other applicable codes and pertinent industry standards.
-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?
RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?