Whet happened when you became a PE? Promotion? Raise?

[VTBonnie]

I recently became a PE (passed the Oct exam, first attempt), and as promised, got a promotion and raise. I feel like the raise was smaller than it should have been but I don't have much basis of comparison. Anyone have any feedback on compensation once you earned your PE license? I know salaries vary regionally so percent increase is probably more helpful. My increase was 4%. I'm just trying to figure out if I need to go to my boss and ask for more $$. Thanks for any input.

 

[msucog]

lol bigh. at least when i got a new business card with mine, i was smart/wise enough to not include my mobile number on the back next to our office number (when i took my first engineer job, i included the mobile number thinking: "well, at least everyone will be able to contact me if they need me"). maybe the piece of paper on the wall does make you a little smarter...or maybe it just makes you more aware of how dumb/naive you were when you first started.

i was able to move out of the cubicle in to a smaller office...at least i can shut the door now and see something other than just walls.

 

[Taro]

Although passing the P.E. exam is a major achievement for the individual, it does not immediately increase your value to the company very much. You are not suddenly 20% more productive or marketable for the firm.

It might merit a short press release blurb in a trade publication, but the firm is not going to start featuring your resume in RFP's because you have the letters "P.E." behind your name. A token raise of 5% and/or a bonus of a few thousand dollars seems reasonable.

One company I know of actually has a tradition of having the new P.E.'s take the older engineers out to lunch as a way of showing appreciation for the mentorship that helped the young engineer pass the exam. After that, the new P.E. receives a raise and bonus that more than cover the expense of the lunch.

 

[msucog]

few thousand bucks as a bonus??? i'll take that considering i'm 90+% billable plus doing much much more than my fair share to bring in loads of profitable revenue. after i got my p.e., my billable rate went up a good bit but utils didn't go down. you guys hiring by any chance?

 

[BADMANWINS]

Vt, I am in the same deal as you (Oct PE myself) and was at 12% and still felt confused - thought it was more.

 

[cvg]

PE value to a company can mean a lot and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Most companies treat somebody that receives a PE quite well with bonus and promotion. If you don't get this, than either a) they don't need you (to be registered) or b) they are lowballing you; and either way you should be working at a company that is willing to pay what you deserve.

 

[oneintheeye]

unfortunatly loyalty gets you no where if your after money.

 

[crossframe]

Something you may want to consider is how the 4% compares to what you've been seeing for annual salary adjustments. If it's been around 4%, you've just got yourself another year.

 

[GoldDredger]

VTBonnie:

I hope you put a final entry in this post and let us know how it turned out. I've taken a vicarious interest in knowing what happened.

 

[VTBonnie]

My annual "cost of living" increase this year was also 4%. Additionally, since I began this thread, I was given a $1000 spot bonus for getting the PE license. So now the 4% raise doesn't feel quite as low. I still feel like the raise accompanying a promotion should be more than what I get for just being here another year. I'll make sure to post the results of my conversation with the boss lady.

 

[jeffcivil2]

you weren't hired as a PE, so unless your bosses die I don't see much more pay. If I were you I'd stay at least a year. Most people who look at resume's for CE's are ignorant human resources people, and so just market yourself as "an experienced PE" and you may get 15-20K more in your next job.

cheers,
Jeff

http://www.civiltips.com