Another question on salary
Another question on salary
(OP)
Hello all,
I'm a fairly new engineer with a little over a year experience working for a mechanical engineering design firm in Northern California. I am making a little less than 20% of what the company charges. I haven't been in this field long enough to know if that kind of pay range is what I should be getting. Any input/advices would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
newengie
I'm a fairly new engineer with a little over a year experience working for a mechanical engineering design firm in Northern California. I am making a little less than 20% of what the company charges. I haven't been in this field long enough to know if that kind of pay range is what I should be getting. Any input/advices would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
newengie





RE: Another question on salary
- Steve
RE: Another question on salary
LMAO
RE: Another question on salary
At my first job in similar situation I was getting equivalent of maybe 25% give or take (different contracts had different charge rates).
I really don't see the obsession with comparing your pay to what the company charges for your time. There are better ways to assess your pay.
KENAT,
Have you reminded yourself of FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies recently, or taken a look at posting policies: http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Another question on salary
RE: Another question on salary
Most of my hours were charged to training for the first few months when I started. Now that I'm sort of up to speed, I get told how many hours are expected of me for each project. So, 20-25% is the standard?
RE: Another question on salary
The list is quite long, and factors of 3x to 4x base salary are not unusual at all.
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Another question on salary
To be absolutely honest, all said and done, as of now, dont worry about your salary. Learn as much as you can and develop your skills. Make everyday of your job worthwhile and learn as much as you can. Money will eventually follow. No good can come out of trying to figure out how much you are worth. At least not in this early part of your career. My humble 2 cents.
"Does the man make the journey or does the journey make the man" - Mark Twain
RE: Another question on salary
You can up this percentage significantly by contracting (at least in the UK). But you'd need to be completely clear about the potential downsides.
- Steve
RE: Another question on salary
KENAT,
Have you reminded yourself of FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies recently, or taken a look at posting policies: http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Another question on salary
They were shown the door as soon as times got hard. This was the downside. Plus having to do all that boring tax return stuff.
- Steve
RE: Another question on salary
That can happen whether contract or not... I've been there in both positions.
David
RE: Another question on salary
- Steve
RE: Another question on salary
Some of us are OK, I promise.
V
RE: Another question on salary
Employment contracts and healthcare though. Yikes!
- Steve
RE: Another question on salary
KENAT,
Have you reminded yourself of FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies recently, or taken a look at posting policies: http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Another question on salary
I have been kept on as a contract employee when a direct was let go, but mostly the contractors are the first to go.
Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services
RE: Another question on salary
It is/was common for engineers here to set up their own companies and then go to work at the same place the next day. The company thing is just for tax purposes.
- Steve
RE: Another question on salary
RE: Another question on salary
Now that I realized I am underpaid, I'll know what kind of numbers would be reasonable to throw out there when the time is right.
EQguys,
Thanks for the great advice. I like the company, I enjoy what I do, I have great mentors and I'm also learning at a good rate. It's just that, while I'm at it, I'm also trying to bring home as much bacon as I can.
RE: Another question on salary
That, or your employer is overbilling. You don't "deserve" money based on what your employer is billing. Such thinking would be in need of a good swift adjustment.
RE: Another question on salary
Maybe you suck at what you do, newengie. Not saying that you do, but theres a bunch of different reasons why the company pays you the percentage of the bill out that they do.
To think that you're underpaid because just because of your percentage of the billable rate doesn't really tell the whole story.
V
RE: Another question on salary
I thought employers are always looking to pay the least possible?
RE: Another question on salary
I know from previous experience that such cost multipliers can easily have 30% variance from company to company.
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Another question on salary
*Assuming the same negotiation skills.
V
RE: Another question on salary
RE: Another question on salary
----------------------------------
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: Another question on salary
In fact, within the same office as I'm now sitting.
It doesn't help my morale to know that a 'more valued' employee has a 15% larger salary with a 12% lower charge-out rate. As it is information that I'm not meant to know it's difficult to use as a bargaining chip.
Employers will often pay only as much as they think that they can get away with.
On the other hand, I'm earning a lot more now than I would without a job....