Where do mech-E salaries top out?

[dextermech]

Sure this question is broad and it's easy to reply by saying it's broad, but if we ignored the broadness for a moment, where are most mech-E salaries topping out these days? Let's assume you're not management, never will be, just a topped out engineer.

$80,000? $90,000, $100,000+?

 

[KENAT]

I believe some of the more senior Design Engineers at my place earn 110-120k. Bear in mind though that's Santa Barbara and Semi.

I believe the pay scale for Design Engineer with 8yrs experience is around 74k.

 

[AndrewTX]

SMS

I've been in the oil/petrochem industry in Houston for over 14 years now, and I've worked with 4 different companies. In my experience, it takes more than 10 years to hit that $100k mark.

Most of the engineers I've worked with in the EPC business it is closer to 15-20 years before they break $100K. I don't think I've run across one engineer at the 10 year mark who has been paid that well.

 

[StressGuy]

AndrewTX,

I know several - especially with the industry going through the demand that it is now. Piping Designers are doing mighty well also.

Of course, there is going to be a range there. Obviously, people like yourself who have a couple more years than I do had to wait a few more years since graduation for the industry to hit this hot time. Plus, 14 years ago, when I was in school, was something of a down time for new grads.

Edward L. Klein
Pipe Stress Engineer
Houston, Texas

"All the world is a Spring"

All opinions expressed here are my own and not my company's.

 

[johnsmith2]

AndrewTX,

It seems the oil/petrochem industry is better than the flow control industry. My company, making the ball valves, is in Dallas, the salary for chief Engineer with 20-30 years experience is only around 80-90K. What's the exact field that you have worked in houston? Downhole drilling? Subsea wellhead service?

I know Piping designer with 5 yrs experience can reach 100K easily in houston.

 

[AndrewTX]

Johnsmith2,

I've worked as a process systems engineer for two of the EPC companies doing onshore refineries and LNG plant design; P&IDs, hydraulics, that sort of stuff. I've worked mechanical equipment engineer for another EPC company doing offshore platform design; P&IDs, equipment design, specification and purchase, commissiong, etc. Now I am a project engineer for a fourth EPC company.

I do know that piping designers are paid extremely well, but that usually comes with working a lot of overtime. I was thinking in terms of base salary.

 

[sms]

Andrew that may be the difference between working for an EPC and working for a client company. Also certain specialties are more in demand than others, but process engineers, rotating machinery, corrosion, furnace guys, control systems guys, high voltage electrical, are all in high demand right now.

Having said that you are probably right, a ten year guy is probably in the low 90s on average base. 15 year guys are over 100 for sure. But he was talking about topping out, so I was thinking the high end of the range, and I was thinking total compensation, salary + bonus, not just base salary. I do know a bunch of 10 year guys that are at or over 100 on total compensation.

-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

 

[sms]

This just popped up in my inbox. Granted it is a management job, but they would entertain someone with only 10 years experience.

September 2006

Education: BS Mechanical Engineering

Location: California

Years Experience: 10+

Industry: Refining

Salary Range: to $135-160K

Privately held company. Leader in their industry. Largest manufacturer, producer and distributor of their products in the western US. Great benefits, relocation.

The Maintenance Manager:

supervises and develops all personnel and functions of the maintenance department
discusses upcoming work and work in progress with Operations, Terminal and Technical Services Managers
insures that the Maintenance budgets are within acceptable levels
insure that all company procedures and policies and labor contracts are properly administered and adhered to
institute and fully support a comprehensive safety program in accordance with corporate and governmental guidelines and regulations
Maintain existing process areas, terminal tankfields
initiate proper and effective planning to insure that the work flows in an efficient manner
insure that contractors are performing work efficiently and correctly
plan, estimate and execute major maintenance work such as turnarounds
determine, develop and initiate enhanced maintenance systems and policies to improve the plant maintenance efficiency
prepare and manage maintenance projects


Department consists of 5 exempt, 27 hourly and 25 contractors.

Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or 10 years refinery supervisory experience. Must possess the managerial and supervisory skills to direct the activities of a complete Maintenance Department. Must have a good working knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety requirements. Must have working knowledge of API, ASME and ANSI and other applicable codes and pertinent industry standards.



-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

 

[Ron]

HVACctrl....I hope you read their privacy policy before you gave them your email address!

 

[tripleZ]

$135K per year isn't bad, until you watch House Hunters on HGTV, or the house-flipping show. When a 2 bedroom / 1.5 bath home in CA rolls in at about $650-$750K (and that's one that may still require work), there's one heck of a mortgage payment to go with the area. Throw in the property taxes, school taxes, and whatnot, and I realize why I'll probably never live in CA (despite the fact that I LOVE the weather)