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Where do mech-E salaries top out?

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+?

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

Median salary for ME V is $107K
Salary.com ME V

TTFN



RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

Principle Fellow (top ME in my company) $170k

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

(OP)
How old is he?  

Can't really count a fellow as a regular ME.

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

No, they do hand in hand.  The reason someone is made a fellow is usually because he is a strong contributor and therefore gets the commensurate compensation.  At my company, Fellows don't get extra salary.  

TTFN



RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

(OP)
Well, $170k is definitely something to strive for...

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

In my company the principle fellow is at the same level as the Vice President

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

(OP)
Thanks for the info, but correct me if I'm wrong, the average ME even if he's a great ME, should not *realistically* expect to be making $170k, and in reality getting over $100k might be hard for most...

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

dextermech,

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?

dextermech,

Here is an interesting site. It's not from a board, but it seems useful.

http://www.thinkenergygroup.com/think.nsf/salarysurveys?OpenForm

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?

Principle fellows are exceptional people.  20 years of experience, may hold a PHd in Mechanical Engineering, got into cutting edge technology that is sought after today…etc.  According to the department of labor top 10% back in 2005 earned 98K

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

I doubt the guy who earns 170k got that job because he "strived" for the money.

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?

(OP)
Let me add a new twist here...I am 29 years old.  Now age alone SHOULD not mean anything, but...at the end of the day, I am still 29 years old...

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

In my world just about everyone with 10+ years of experience makes over $100K US. Many individual contributers with only a BSME make $150 or more..

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?

It's impossible to generalize but it's quite realistic in some industries, some specialties, and some areas to earn well over $120,000 per year.

--------------------
How much do YOU owe?
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
--------------------

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

My chief Engineer in Flow control industry with 30 yrs experience with BSC and MBA, make only 80-100K. Is it low?

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

It's inevitable that if you keep doing the same thing year after year, you reach a peak value to your company and to your industry as a whole.  At the 20 year mark, adding another 10 years of the same thing to your resume isn't going to see your salary grow the same rate it did in the first 10 years.  At some point, if you ain't willing to branch out or change roles, you'd just better be happy with cost of living increases and maybe the odd bonus.

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?

Well, it was off by more than 25% for me, not that salary.com was that much closer.

TTFN



RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

I think they are all spotty. I did notice that engineersalry.com was limited on its categories and didn't include the option for a PE license, which can affect salary in some instances.

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 some of the more senior Design Engineers at my place earn 110-120k.  Bear in mind though that's Santa Barbara and Semi.

I believe the pay scale for Design Engineer with 8yrs experience is around 74k.

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

SMS

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?

AndrewTX,

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?

AndrewTX,

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?

Johnsmith2,

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?

Andrew that may be the difference between working for an EPC and working for a client company. Also certain specialties are more in demand than others, but process engineers, rotating machinery, corrosion, furnace guys, control systems guys, high voltage electrical, are all in high demand right now.

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?

This just popped up in my inbox. Granted it is a management job, but they would entertain someone with only 10 years experience.

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?

HVACctrl....I hope you read their privacy policy before you gave them your email address!  

RE: Where do mech-E salaries top out?

$135K per year isn't bad, until you watch House Hunters on HGTV, or the house-flipping show.  When a 2 bedroom / 1.5 bath home in CA rolls in at about $650-$750K (and that's one that may still require work), there's one heck of a mortgage payment to go with the area.  Throw in the property taxes, school taxes, and whatnot, and I realize why I'll probably never live in CA (despite the fact that I LOVE the weather)

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