×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Do you make as much as you deserve?
4

Do you make as much as you deserve?

Do you make as much as you deserve?

(OP)
This may be a sensitive topic, but feel free to share if you'd like. Open to anyone and no judgment here. Hopefully myself and others can benefit from your answers.

Question: do you believe that you make the an adequate salary considering your training and experience (don't have to say the amount)? If not, why not?
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

These answers will be all over the board.
A lot of people feel they are underpaid, regardless of experience and education.

I feel I am paid where I should be based on my experience and education.

I was underpaid last year when I was laid off.

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I feel that I am adequately compensated for the contributions I make, particularly considering my nearly 45 years of professional experience and 30 years with my current organization.

Now don't get me wrong, if I were offered a big raise or a bonus tomorrow, I'd have no problem finding my way to the bank to cash the check winky smile

But that being said, I have to admit that when I left engineering school in 1971, the salary I was paid for my first full time professional position was very fair (and about $50-$75 per month more than that year's average for our class), however, it now takes only a bit more than a day to earn what I did in an entire month back then (and I was already married with 2 young sons and 6 years of student loans to pay off).  

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
http://www.siemens.com/plm
http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

The UK, and my region in particular, were in a pretty bad recession when I graduated. My industry was being torn apart by denationalisation on top of the other problems, so it was thin pickings work-wise and salaries were very low. You didn't moan about low pay because there were tens of thousands who'd do the job for less. Today my industry pays above average and I look on it as having come full circle since those bad days. Among my engineering peers I'd say things are pretty good, but alongside the restricted professions like accountancy and law we still lag way behind in terms of remuneration v's contribution. I'll stop there because I'm not sure if this is heading in the direction you intended.
  

----------------------------------
  
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I don't see much in the job sections of engineering rags that attracts me.  So I guess I must be adequately paid.

I had a beer with a former boss last week.  He was moaning about tax changes in the UK and how he's having his personal allowance taken away this year.  Tough eh?
 

- Steve

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

In basic salary terms?  Absolutely not, even though that's "fair" based on the salary surveys- it's nowhere nearly fair compared to how much I contribute to the business.

In overall compensation terms?  Quite satisfied, thanks.

I don't know for sure what the other engineers on my street make, but I have a clue.  None of them work as engineers.  Yeah, in total compensation terms, I'm even OK with that.

The non-salary part of my overall compensation dries up if the business stops making money.  That's VERY motivating!

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

In comparison to other professions that require the same number of years of college and on going education, most definately not.

As I have stated in other posts in this forum, I believe that this is due to the fact that engineering lacks a definiative certification board that everyone must pass and periodically recertify to.   

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

Base pay is acceptable.  Overall compensation with per diem and project bonus makes it worth while.  Where it stretches thin is when I'm covering 4-6 projects simultaneously, as opposed to the one in which I'm geographically located.

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

In 1965, U.S. CEOs in major companies earned 24 times more than an average worker; CEO pay has exploded and in 2005 the average CEO was paid $10,982,000 a year, or 262 times that of an average worker ($41,861).

Do I make as much as I deserve?  No, not relative to this boondoggle!

Here's more:
http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/webfeatures_snapshots_20060621/

Good luck,
Latexman

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I am happy for the most part.  I would even be willing to take a small pay cut if it meant a more flexible schedule.

My coworkers make a lot more money then me (At least 10 to 15k more per year), but that is probably why they never leave (not one of them seems happy).  Their salary is far beyond what our field will support.  Not that I would complain if I made that much!

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I'm quite satisfied with what I make.  I wouldn't still be doing it if I wasn't.

 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

In this down economy, I feel I'm being paid way too much.

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

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I will preface my comment by saying that I am very happy to still have a job. (Here comes the big but) BUT in the future I will get any promise made in an offer in writing wand signed by HR and the hiring manager. Noobe mistake.

I consider myself to be underemployed.  

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

Considering that I am still trying to get back to where I was in 1999-2000, I would have to say no.  Of course not comparing apples with apples.

Back then - project manager with a Fortune 500 corporate engineering department - salaried with good benefits but put in lots and lots of hours to keep all of my projects going.

Three jobs later since being downsized out - the last two being hourly - I make a lot less but also work a lot less hours.

Still, it affects security, retirement planning, etc.

gjc
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

Oh, hell no!

I'm at the top of my game.

In a just universe, I'd be making as much as a star athlete, although that whole "perform at your peak in the middle of a stadium while watched by 90,00 screaming fans" bit might be bothersome...

Okay, yeah, I'm fine...

old field guy

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

OFG,

Only 9000 fans?  Then, you definitely don't deserve that megabuck salary winky smile

Or, is it only 9000 that are screaming?

TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

Question:  mtu1972, does the 'mtu' by any chance refer to 'Michigan Technological University'?  And if so, does the 1972 refer to the year you graduated?

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
http://www.siemens.com/plm
http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

Do I make as much as I think that I deserve?  Absolutely, I work in a somewhat free market where I have to compete for compensation, and as such, I earn what I make.  If I thought that I did not get what I deserved, I would first look at myself to determine whether it is me or the industry.  If it was me, I would become more productive either by improving efficiency or working longer hours.  If it were the industry, I would move on because I have others skill sets besides mechanical engineering.

Now if I worked for the government, I could not state that I earned anything, but instead would say that I take money from tax payers to put into my pocket.
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I definitely feel like I'm underpaid.  Because of a pay cut and freeze (across the board), I'm making 3% more than I was fresh out of school 4 years ago.  

Even if I didn't have the cut and freeze, I think engineers, generally speaking, are underpaid and underappreciated.

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

In this economy, that's a relative question - one posed often by many relatives.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto:  KISS
Motivation:  Don't ask

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

There is a point where it is just keeping score.  When I retired in 2003 (to start my own business) I was vexed that an idiot that I was carrying was making more money than I was.  I had a good salary, I was covering my bills, saving a little, sending a kid to college, had money left over for playing and vacations.  I was doing pretty well and I was pissed that this idiot was making 5% more than I was.  I realized exactly how stupid that was and couldn't stop.  Then I retired and started paying more taxes than the idiot was grossing.  My attitude about compensation really changed at that point.

To answer the basic question, I'm self employed and make as much as the traffic will bear.  If I ever feel under-compensated I can work harder.  Only problem is the boss is a jerk.

David

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I get paid extremely well for my job title.

For the location though, and if I'm silly enough to compare it to what I think some of my colleagues may be earning, no where near enough.

If I take into account some of what I actually do it varies by day.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

Thank you for the survey as it was very enlightening (I hadn't seen anything quite this complete or up-to-date in some time).

However, I have to say that after looking at all of the numbers and the breakdowns, I've come to the conclusion that I should be even more satisfied with my current level of 'compensation' as I was not aware that I had already achieved such a lofty status (perhaps my wife should read it as she might think twice the next time she asks why I don't make more than I do winky smile

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
http://www.siemens.com/plm
http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I've started a thread asking when it would be too late to pursue engineering and the question of pay scale seems to be a significant factor. The recommendations for assuring unnecessary debt were put forward but I haven't the slightest clue what engineers make.

My particular case for pursuing engineering as a major currently at my local community college (New Jersey)stems from being laid of as a network technician from Verizon. Before that I was an electrician. The electrical trade is very difficult and only gets harder through the years, and the pay scale is good for those who can weasel their way into a comfortable situation. A contractor makes significant more money at a huge cost to physical stress and aggravation.

Three years as a network technician on telephony and fiber optic circuitry has shown me the light. The work is clean, indoors, and working for a company like Verizon as a union member is a great paycheck for someone like me who never went to college (until now of course).

I was laid off in November 09' and every job available for optical networking or network engineers required an engineering degree or a slew of certifications, that which I had none. As a tech in a union for Verizon I made $79k in 09' from Jan-Nov 20th, including appx 200 hrs ot. The ot hrs are not all real hours worked since working holidays and Sundays count as ot.

Do engineering firms pay comparable to $65k-80k per year?

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

filasofee that would be one heck of a payraise for me.

Entry level EIT pay is nowhere near that. Even having 4 years experience that pay is significantly above what I make.  You might make that out on the costs in a major market, but the cost of living is way higher out there.

I'm happy with what I make.  I can pay all my bills and still have money to do what I want for the most part.   

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

Me?  Nah - but I'm pretty happy - which might be more important.

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

Define Deserve.

I am happy with what I make.  But, (there is always a but) I only make a coupel percent more than the guy that sits next to me; and I can do the same project twice as fast & more technically correct & with better constructability.  So either, I make what I deserve, or he makes more than he deserves.  I am happy with what I make, so I think that I make what I deserve.  

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

It's all about the comparison.  I feel pretty well compensated but..
One guy makes more than me, can't pass the PE, and does nothing but striping on roads.
One guy makes more than me and is a drafter with very little drafting ability or work ethic.
One guy makes twice what I do, sleeps in his office, has no technical ability, and has not brought any work in since he's been here.
On the other hand, I make double what one of the guys makes with a Masters in biology or something.  I really felt bad for him.

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

John - guilty on both counts

As a native of the Copper Country I had little choice as to where to go to school.

gjc
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

gjc,

Note that I graduated from 'da Tech' in 1971 with a BSME.  Perhaps we've crossed paths before, in the Student Union or even at the 'Library' (and I don't mean the one with all the books winky smile

As for your lack of 'choices', I was from 300+ miles away and felt that despite perhaps wider choices, that I still made the correct one.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
http://www.siemens.com/plm
http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I definitely get compensated based on what I deserve. I've got standing offers for larger salary and more benefits, but that would mean going back into engineering management. I'd rather  be happy and make less money.

I see it as "is the glass half full or half empty?" I really don't care as long as the bottom half is mine.

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

My family comments - "It isn't that dad's glass is half empty, . . . it's generally broken!".

gjc
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

In short, no.

I make enough, but think I could do better. I'm (generally) happy where I am though and things could be worse. There are other things that could make work more enjoyable that would go as far or farther than a strict pay raise as well.

-- MechEng2005

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

The glass has an overflow factor of saftey of 2.  

I feel I'm compensated about where I should be for the short number of years I'm out of school.  My first job after graduating with a BSME was for $54000.  I think I was overpaid for this first engineering job.  After 6 months I was kicked to the curb.  

I now earn less then this, but I like my job much better, it's in the field I want to be in and I have a good boss.  My compensation will catch up as the economy recovers I hope.  If it doesn't I'll put the pay scale in high gear by returning for a masters in engineering.

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I don't think anyone gets paid what they deserve.  We (even teachers and those with government jobs) get paid according to the law of supply and demand (with complications from inertia).  A top-shelf engineer with advanced degrees, PE, and two decades of experience makes less than a mediocre young lawyer.  As silly as that seems, it's the market at work.  Jgailla's biologist coworker gets paid a whole lot less, because there isn't so much demand for MS biologists that they have to be paid more.  Any "deserving" is relative(perhaps jagailla vs the road-striper, whose salary gap is likely caused by inertia and who got in the door first - even Adam Smith's magic hand can't fix some things).

Does Yo Yo Ma (one of the highest-paid classical musicians in the world) deserve to make a small fraction of what Madonna does?  Is it 'yes,' because his music appeals to a much smaller number of people, or 'no' because his musical talents and work ethic are similar or greater?  (Rhetorical question only.  I don't want to face an angry mob of Madonna fans.)

Me?  No complaints.  I'm way better off than most Americans.  I don't actually deserve to make as much as 8 McDonalds burger friers, but I can while doing useful work I like, and I'm not so altruistic that I'll turn it down.

drg

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

It's not 'the market' at work. The legal profession know that left to its own devices 'the market' will result in more lawyers (like the world needs that, huh?) and salaries will drop. So they close ranks, their professional body restricts the numbers who are able to practice, and the market is distorted because the supply is artificially choked back. As a result salaries remain high.

We're too dumb to do the same.
 

----------------------------------
  
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
 

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

Couple days ago I saw an article about TOO MANY new law schools being opened up and creating a glut of lawyers.  Maybe that's not an issue in the UK, but I think we in the US have many more per capita already.

RE: Do you make as much as you deserve?

I also make more than X x McDonald workers - but that does not mean I am paid what I am worth.

It is a supply and demand world, but how many engineers are brought into the USA on H1B visas?  They are not illegal aliens, but the big companies keep posturing that there is a shortage of technical workers and Washington keeps greasing those wheels.

I do know that structural engineering is not the trade where most H1B workers are being employed - but undoubtedly some are.  And those that are are like indentured servents, somewhat captive to the corporations that sponser them.

Every firm I know has had either layoffs, or reduced hours, or both.  Yet I bet a lot of foreigners are here still here working, and helping to keep our wages down.

gjc
 

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources