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Structural Eng salary

Structural Eng salary

Structural Eng salary

(OP)
Similar to another post about wastewater eng salary. I live in Southern California, but I went to school in another state where I recieved my B.S. in Civil eng. I had about 6 months of experience as an intern at a structural company before I applied for my current job and that was 8 months ago.

My boss started me at $16.00/hr for 3-4 weeks until I was up to speed, so to speak. After that he said that we would talk salary. When the time came he told me that he could only pay me $37,500 / year or $18.00/hr. Now this is a small structural company so I am learning a lot. He hired me as an independent contractor, therefore I get no overtime, no medical, or paid time off.

I realize I should not start out making $60k but I think I am under paid. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

RE: Structural Eng salary

I think you could get a better deal somewhere else. I am electrical, but I would guess that a new grad in Civil/structural should start out at 40-45k. Especially in SoCal where housing is far from cheap.

I do not know you're work ethic or how indpendent you are in the workplace, but never the less, 37.5k/year seems low even with benefits. The fact that you get no overtime, medical or PTO makes this deal especially bad in my eyes. It reminds me of when I worked in the restaurant business. If you're an independent contractor, they should pay you like one. Do your homework, talk to your boss about your goals and aspirations within the company. If you can't see eye to eye, at least you tried and won't have to feel bad about working somewhere else should the opportunity arise.

Do you know how much your time is billed per hour?

Good luck.

RE: Structural Eng salary

Salary.com estimate for Brea, in North Orange County:
http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_localrange.asp?geo=U.S.+National+Averages&jobcode=EN04100000&jobtitle=Civil+Engineer+I&narrowdesc=Engineering&narrowcode=EN01&yearsofexp=&r=salswz_swznatlnk_psr&p=050205_psr_495&s=salary&zipcode=92821

puts the low at $48K, if you crank in a "fair" reputation school, the range narrows to $53K to $58K, for entry-level civil engineer.

TTFN



RE: Structural Eng salary

Even though I believe you could earn a higher "training" wage, if passing the PE is your goal, I would advise caution in arguing over a significant raise with your current employer.  Don't get me wrong, he deserves to be confronted about a pay increase for a certain graduate.  But if you want to count the eight months as credit toward qualifying, you might make your best case for a salary adjustment, take what he gives and earn your keep for another 11 months, while acing your assignments and asking question after question.  If you still need your EIT, pass it as soon as you can.

You could find another job, if you want.  Then, if I were you, I would try to leave on the best terms possible and leave open the possibility of working for an extra year for someone else who will give you a higher training wage, and at least some health insurance!  When it comes to qualifying for the PE, you are the the mercy of your references.  

(Remember, 2 years to qualify for the PE in California--experience Back East counts, and if you have learned a lot of practical skills along the way, you might be able to write your own ticket with another firm.)

RE: Structural Eng salary

If you think you can find a better job somewhere else, then go ahead.  But really, value the experience more than the pay.  Once you work there for a year, then start looking again for a job that pays much better.  Once you are good with auto cad and also have design experience, I think you can find job easier and be more selective.  It was hard for me to land on my current design job.  But I think if I were quittng, I can find other job a lot easier now.  Good luck!

RE: Structural Eng salary

Erik1938,

You are probably one of the lowest paid engineers in the USA. From my experience, if you start out low you will always be paid low, unless the firm is a real good one that is profitable and values its staff. In my opinion, you should get a new job ASAP. I seriously doubt that the firm that you are working for is anything other than a "low baller" who does the projects that no good firm wants.

RE: Structural Eng salary

EddyC, $18/hour is better than no job and no experience.  Job market is brutal.

RE: Structural Eng salary

Structural Engineer magazine conducts a annual salary survey and here is the link. http://www.gostructural.com/userfiles/file/2006-compensation-survey.pdf

SEAOC used to publish a comprehensive salary survey in the past but I haven't seen any recent ones published.

Being hired as an independent contractor with your hourly rate is a warning sign.  Entry level engineers usually get hired as a regular employees with benefits.  More experienced engineers with other obligations (own company, etc) are the usual independent contractors who help out the overflow at higher than normal rates.

RE: Structural Eng salary

That's better than what I had to start at in order to get some experience.  When you need a job, you have to do what you have to do.  If it's good experience, and your boss is knowledgeable and willing to share, it's probably worth the cut.  The knowledge and experience offset the wage.

If you aren't getting anything, go somewhere else.  There's no need to get four years experience in garbage and have nothing to show for it.

RE: Structural Eng salary

in my opinion you are being under paid. I assume southern cal. is a higher cost of living than the south east where I live. We hire new grads in ME, EE, etc. for around 45 - 50K

RE: Structural Eng salary

It really depends on the job market.  While SoCal is expensive, it's because there's a large demand for living here.  This drives down the competitive price.  

Even a doctor may get less in SoCal than in other, less desirable locations.  And it's a pretty dramatic difference; ~$150K vs ~$250K for family practice.

TTFN



RE: Structural Eng salary

I think you're getting the proverbial shaft.  I believe your boss is taking advantage of you.  Talk to a recruitement center in a local college.

You are SERIOUSLY underpaid.  I made that much after one year of experience and I got medical, dental and vision coverage, free life insurance ($150,000), 3% match to my 401k, 8 1/2 holidays, and two weeks vacation.  AND THAT WAS IN 1995!!!

I agree with cousink that you must leave on good terms because, as he says, your references do count when you get your P.E.

Good luck!

RE: Structural Eng salary

(OP)
Thanks to everyone that has responded. I am going to talk to him today, but I want to leave on good terms, unless he gives me a raise.

RE: Structural Eng salary

yea, that's too low considering the types of loading and the things that happen in california.  

RE: Structural Eng salary

I would wait until you have another offer in hand.

TTFN



RE: Structural Eng salary

I agree, asking for a job while unemployed can be a tough sell to some potential employers, even with a good story.  By the way, I would be interested to know the outcome of your talk.

RE: Structural Eng salary

All i have to say is that he is lucky he found a job that actually does DESIGN!!!!  With civil engineering degree a lot of new engineers only get to do field work with very little or no design experience at all.  I am not saying you deserve only $18/hour but I rather be doing that than getting pad $23/hour working out in the field getting design experience.  Once you work without any design experience for a while, you will probably never design anything in your "civil engineering" career.

If you find another design job with better pay, then yes leave that job.  If I were you, I would keep my mouth shut and learn as much as I can for at least 1 year and start looking for another job or ask for a big raise.

RE: Structural Eng salary

"With civil engineering degree a lot of new engineers only get to do field work with very little or no design experience at all."

but i think field work is incredibly important for a design engineer.  everything we do is on a set of drawings, and until we see it in place....it doesn't carry the levity that it should.  

my boss threw me in as the lead on a threshold job and i had to see the entire building built from the ground up before i could even begin to smell the computer programs.  and that experience was probably the most important experience that i've ever had.  much more so than just sitting behind the desk running numbers because at the end of the day, you won't develop your natural intuition from looking at a calculation pad.  

RE: Structural Eng salary

Field with only taking data, write report, use testing equipment etc.  I was doing that for 1 year and hardly ever used my calculator.  Yes, field work is important.  You will get enough field work once you start designing stuff.

RE: Structural Eng salary

I hire entry level engineers (bridge designers) at between $40K and $46 K,full benefits(medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D etc), 401K, employee stock purchase plan. Location is Southeastern US. In So Cal I would think you could find a position with equal compensation  and most likely better.

I would agree that you should consider asking for an adjustment to at least pay you equal to what other local companies are paying, and even if you get what you are asking get your resume out there.

If you want to make more $$ the best way to do it is by switching jobs, but get as much as you can when you get your initial offer to cover a 2%-4% raise a year until you are ready to switch jobs again.

Good luck.

RE: Structural Eng salary

I think you're really underpaid. On my first co-op job in first year of machanical engineering I was paid 16.75/hour

RE: Structural Eng salary

I started out as an independent contractor, and got hammered on taxes.  You have to pay "your" share and the employers share of social security.  Basically you will be taxed twice for social security.

I would keep your eyes open for something better, and definitley leave on good terms!  Future potential employers may be calling your current employer, and you don't want a bad rap.

RE: Structural Eng salary

I need some salary advice.  I am looking to relocate to St. Louis.  I'm a structural guy, recently got my PE, signed up for the SE this spring.  I know I'm getting the shaft where I'm at now.  I need to know what kind of range I should expect.  I've got 5 years of experience.  I know that might be obvious since I just got my PE but some people wait a while to take the test so I thought I should clarify.

My personal feeling is $27-$30 per hour.  Please feel free to tell me if this is ridiculous.  That's the kind of imput I'm searching for.

RE: Structural Eng salary

thats' about right...in my opinion anyway.  with a PE and 5 years....you might actually be able to negotiate for more.  somewhere in the mid to high 60's.  i'd wait, until after you get the SE and see what your boss is talking about.  plus, i wouldnt be doing all of that while changing jobs either.

RE: Structural Eng salary

I'm not interested in what my boss says.  I need out of my current position.  No oppurtunity, $23 an hour, and a bunch of headaches.  

I agree with the fact that it might be easier to wait until after the test to change, but i'm been wanting to leave this job for two years.  I couldn't because I needed PE/SE signoffs.  I can't get out quick enough now.

RE: Structural Eng salary

well, you have your PE.  where are you taking the SE at?  where you are now, or in the lou?  if you're not happy, leave.  if it's that serious.....see if you can push the SE back, and put all of your time into testing the waters.  

RE: Structural Eng salary

Taking SE in IL.  Don't live in St. Louis but I'm guessing you do.  I've only heard St. Louisans call it the lou.  

I'm not too far away though (75 miles from Busch)  I will probably commute for a short time while moving etc.  

RE: Structural Eng salary

cjd97-If you have 5 years solid structural engineering experience AND have your PE I would rate you higher than $30 per hour. Of course, I would expect you to be able to manage several projects and lead designers and manage clients, etc, etc. I was making $32/hour in NC with no PE and less focused experience than you. Have you considered relocating? Maybe your COLI for your area is low ? Based on what I was making, I would guess you could bring in $35-$40/hour...If you wanted to really maximize your earnings for one year I would contract with a company. The guys I work with negotiated a far higher rate than I would have on my own. Plus, at my $32/hr rate, the contracting company was adding an hourly fee on top of that which they charged the company I actually did work for...And you know what, for some reason this ends up being cheaper for a company than to have a "full-time" employee. There is something about the way taxes are calculated that makes contract employees cheaper. So, you make more, they pay less. Everybody happy for a year. Engineering is so strong right now and should remain that way for another 6-8 years (based on previous cycles that some old timers related to me one day). They also told me rates are determined by the power industry, so as power engineer rates go up so do everyone elses'. I hope this communicates the idea. Good Luck.

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