Structural Engineer Salary

[SEOH]

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Hello, I'm a long time reader and first time poster on Eng-tips,

I am interviewing for Structural Engineering positions in the midwest (commercial and industrial buildings). I have 5 years relevant experience, PE license, SE license, and a Masters in Structural Engineering. I am having trouble finding current salary information so thought I'd ask here. What is the going rate for an engineer like myself? I am thinking 75k-80K? Or if anyone can point me in the direction of a good source for this information.

Thanks!

 

[Latexman]

http://www.bls.gov/

Good luck,
Latexman

To a ChE, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.

 

[IRstuff]

Salary.com and Monster.com also have salary information.

Typically, professional societies do salary surveys every year.

TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
homework forum: //

http://www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx

faq731-376 forum1529

 

[racookpe1978]

We know what qualifications and degrees you have, but your salary will depend on a couple of things only you can determine:
What you actually can do (for the next company)
What that company decides it needs to pay you (to keep you working for that company instead of somebody else)
How well YOU communicate Line 1 to Line 2.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

See if you can get a copy of the ASCE engineering salary survey, that's what I used as a baseline for when I realized I was grossly underpaid at my previous position. You're in almost the exact same point in your career as I am (I have slightly more experience but don't have a MS). Unless you have a high cost of living for a particular job $75-$80k with reasonable benefits seems like a reasonable median.

Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH)
American Concrete Industries

http://www.americanconcrete.com

 

[andriver]

For specific companies, try glassdoor.com.

I found them to be extremely accurate on my salary at my company, but that is only one data point.

 

[Slugged]

Unfortunately, generally the salary range for structural engineers is large if you are talking about all of the different industries a structural engineer can work in. I agree with TehMightyEngineer's median, but maybe a little larger spread - 70-85k - and I think the range of salaries for someone with your credentials in the midwest will be 55k-95k, depending on your industry and niche. Structural engineers actually practicing structural engineering are employed by specialty consulting firms, multidisciplinary consulting firms, contractors, municipalities, state and federal governments, manufacturing facilities, and large companies in a support role overseeing maintenance and upgrades to facilities, for example. Each industry pays differently.

The low end of the salary range is offered by municipalities and state jobs.

The middle range will be offered by consulting firms for buildings and bridges.

The high end of the salary range will be offered by large contractors and industries associated with fossil fuels (oil refineries, natural gas plants, etc). I knew fresh graduates working at oil refineries making 90k.

Be sure to ask about bonuses when receiving an offer. Ask what the last couple of years were like for someone in your position in terms of bonuses received. I wouldn't expect receiving a bonus to make ends meet or accepting one job over the other, but it's nice to know the possibilities. Some small to medium firms regularly give 10-30% bonuses during good profitable years. In my experience, large companies are fickle in their bonus structure and most of the time bonuses are reserved for those in management or senior roles.

 

[HuckleberryFinn]

Data point:

Structural Engineer (ENG III)
South East USA
6 years Exp. (4 Commercial, 2 Heavy Ind)
Large Company (10,000 +)
Salary - $77K
Benefits - Kinda crappy.