How big a raise after I pass my PE??

[AJM32]

I just found out I passed the electrical PE exam in California (WOOOOHOOOO!!! Thank god thats over) and the bosses today offered me a raise. Originally, the big boss had mentioned that they were considering promoting me early (basically skipping a step) when I got my PE. Today I met with him and he decided that they would put off the promotion, but move the raise (which usually come in December) to now. I had previously had a 12-15% raise number in my mind including the promotion. Today they offered a 7% raise and a $2000 bonus for passing the PE (every new PE gets the bonus).

My question to all of you, my excellent professional collegues, what should I expect/accept in this situation? Any suggestions on how to handle it? Most of my friends/family are not in the industry, and I'm sure as hell not going to ask my coworkers, so any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[JAE]

AJM32 - Go here for a cost of living comparison:

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There are many out there - do a search for [blue]Cost of Living Calculator[/blue] on Google.

 

[AJM32]

Good grief that's depressing.

I moved from Milwaukee to San Francisco, where the cost of living is 71% greater but the salaries are only 13% higher. And took a pay cut. For the love of a great women. That didn't last.

Sometimes ya gotta see how it plays out.

 

[Snork]

The only thing I got was a lot of questions about why I'd spend the time and money to get my PE (mech.), no raise, no bonus, no promotion. I'm one of only 5 or so PE's in a company with about 100 degreed engineers; and the only one with both a PE and M.S., and frankly don't see a lot of advantage career wise from either one - at least here. I'd still have gotten them for personal satisfaction even knowing that they wouldn't benifit me at my current job, but I'd be really stoked by a raise or promotion due to the added credential.

 

[Maui]

The PE may not pay off immediately in terms of a promotion or a pay raise. But it may give future employers the impression that you are a more qualified individual in comparison to the other applicants who don't have one. It may serve to give you that additional edge during the application process even if it is not part of the job requirement. And in this type of job market, every little bit helps.

Maui

 

[plasgears]

This is like expecting a reduction of fire insurance rates for installing various fire prevention means. They will tell you that the rate does not decrease; your exposure to business disruption will decrease.

In the automotive industry the PE carries some weight. Your analyses are acceptable without question.

For the most part my PE has been considered a mark of expertise and reliability, but I never had more salary connected with the PE.

 

[GregLocock]

"In the automotive industry the PE carries some weight. Your analyses are acceptable without question.
"

Hahahaha

Not on this planet.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[AJM32]

Well, I ended up with 10%, which is absolutely awesome considering the responses I've gotten here. I really appreciate all of your help and opinions.

 

[HVACctrl]

BoeingJets,
The main secrets I can offer on the Mechancial PE are these:

1) Get the MERM (Mechanical Engineer's Reference Manual) by Professional Publications Inc. (PPI). You can try

http://www.PPI2Pass.com,

but can also find it at Amazon.com. Read through most chapters, work in-chapter and end-of-chapter problems.

2) Get the NCEES Practice Problems book. Work the problems.

3) Put in a total of about 300 hours of studying, reading, working problems, etc... (3-4 months maybe)

4) Organize notes, etc....

5) Join a board where they discuss these things (

http://www.engineerboards.com)

or even PPI2Pass.com. PPI's site is way outdated and difficult to navigate so a couple of people from there created engineerboards.com.

Good luck!

Ed

http://www.engineerboards.com

 

[HVACctrl]

plasgears,
I can see it carrying some weight in the automotive industry- at least in the US. Maybe not in some other countries.

Ed

http://www.engineerboards.com

 

[EddyC]

My coworker just got his one time bonus check for getting his PE. After taxes it was $520. With a bonus this low, I doubt that anyone else here will make the effort to get their PE.

 

[HVACctrl]

They should do it for themselves. I do agree that engineers are underpaid, overused and treated like tools. If the greedy SOBs don't want to give a bonus or a raise, it is pitiful, but no one should let that stop them from getting their license.

If lay offs occur, all things being equal, the PEs might be the ones to stay. If a new job is in order, the PE license might give you the extra leg-up on the competition. Some jobs do require the licensure. If you decide to go your own way, the license will allow self-employment as an engineer.

There are many benefits. Its bad, but don't let lack of raises or bonus stop you.

Ed

http://www.engineerboards.com

 

[swertel]

If I was in this business for the money, I wouldn't be in this business. Have you read the Excistential Pleasures of Engineering?

Sorry about the spelling, but my dictionary doesn't have that word in it and I don't have a copy of the book by my side.

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376

 

[HVACctrl]

I honestly thought the money would be better and that engineers would be a little better respected. The money I guess I could have figured out by doing my research.

Ed

http://www.engineerboards.com

 

[ziggi]

Engineers...young engineers specifically, are typically better paid than their peers in other fields. I'm in engineering now for the money and that's it. I'll end up moving to another field in a few years, because I enjoy it not b/c of the money.

 

[HVACctrl]

That may be true in some cases. But I have seen salespeople in many industries- many with barely more than a HS education if that- blowing engineers out of the water in salary- and spending much fewer working hours doing it and having more fun.

That's just a sin.

Ed

http://www.engineerboards.com