Chartered Engineer Salary

A fella called fish

I know times are tough etc etc... However, I'm a Chartered Structural Engineer (with Engineers Ireland and the IStructE) and have been working as a Structural Engineer for the past 8 years.

I now earn €5k more than I did in my first year as a graduate Engineer 8 years ago...which personally I find extremely dissappointing.

How do the rest of you experienced Engineers find the salaries these days? I never expected to get rich from Engineering and I love the job itself, but it seems like a dead end job these days in Ireland.

Seriously considering emigration or a complete change of career at the moment.

Incidentally, when are the results of the Engineers Ireland salary survey due to be published?

godtabh

Is that €5k as a result of any pay reductions?

Have you been with the same company since you graduated?

A fella called fish

Hi,

Yes, my salary increased by €20k after 4-5 years and then plummeted back down by 15k as a result of pay cuts.

I have been with the same company since I graduated.

While I'm glad to have a job that I actually like, I also need to get on with my life, which is difficult in a job which appears to have little prospects these days.

sprinkles

Did you get any pay increases over the years?

I started on 26k, 3 years ago I left for Vancouver after over 5 years working in Ireland and was on 55k afair. I was chartered at the time and had taken a pay cut so I would have been closer to 60k.

Now, with over 8 years experience I am on 90k CAD which works out at 68k euro. I'd advise you to emmigrate. Far better pay abroad.

I lost my job in July (Civil Engineer). Managed to get a contract job in manufacturing as a Project Engineer a month and a half later. Salaries are a lot better, partially because of the field and partially because of being a contractor.

But beforehand I was at the same salary give or take for nearly 5 years, really because of the sector. So it depends what you want to do.

godtabh

As a contractor you will always get paid more. The cost to the employer is almost the same (probably cheaper).

Staying with the same company can reduce your earning potential

con1982

A fella called fish wrote: »

I know times are tough etc etc... However, I'm a Chartered Structural Engineer (with Engineers Ireland and the IStructE) and have been working as a Structural Engineer for the past 8 years.

I now earn €5k more than I did in my first year as a graduate Engineer 8 years ago...which personally I find extremely dissappointing.

How do the rest of you experienced Engineers find the salaries these days? I never expected to get rich from Engineering and I love the job itself, but it seems like a dead end job these days in Ireland.

Seriously considering emigration or a complete change of career at the moment.

Incidentally, when are the results of the Engineers Ireland salary survey due to be published?

I'm in a similar position. Earning less now than 6 years ago.

Seems to me there are three options.
(1) Move to Canada or Australia
(2) Wait it out. I've noticed things picking up in the last 6/12 months. I reckon in next 18/24 months salaries will be reasonable again. More building control and changes to HSA rules(PSCS requirements) will make it a more restrictive profession to work in.
(3) Switch profession. Evening classes are a lot of work and can be expensive. There is no gaurantee of a job either.

I'm on option 2 at the moment, and flirting with option 3

Godtabh - Did you do any training to switch over to project engineer in manufacturing? I've a few Mech Eng friends who do validation in the pharma industry.

A fella called fish

con1982 wrote: »

I'm in a similar position. Earning less now than 6 years ago.

Seems to me there are three options.
(1) Move to Canada or Australia
(2) Wait it out. I've noticed things picking up in the last 6/12 months. I reckon in next 18/24 months salaries will be reasonable again. More building control and changes to HSA rules(PSCS requirements) will make it a more restrictive profession to work in.
(3) Switch profession. Evening classes are a lot of work and can be expensive. There is no gaurantee of a job either.

I'm on option 2 at the moment, and flirting with option 3

Godtabh - Did you do any training to switch over to project engineer in manufacturing? I've a few Mech Eng friends who do validation in the pharma industry.

Sorry that you're in the same boat..but at least I now know I'm not alone!

I've noticed the past 6-9 months getting progressively better from that perspective, however I'm not holding my breath with regard to salaries being reasonable within the next year or so.

It frustrates me that I've worked hard in College, do my best in the office, worked hard to obtain my Chartership with both Professional Bodies, and there's no financial acknowledgement/appreciation for it!

It really is getting harder and harder to get out of the bed in the mornings.

annfield1978

Your issue is that you have stayed with the one company, during the boom you may not have maximised your earnings ( moving companies would have bumped up salaries by 10k say) and now companies are able to dictate pay levels

Problem is that there is nothing to move on to , so option is to retrain or emigrate unfortunately

Pope John 11

con1982 wrote: »

I've a few Mech Eng friends who do validation in the pharma industry.

Having spent 11 years working as a structural engineer, I have since completed my Project Management course in TCD. I had planned to do the charatership with IEI but have left it for now.

I am currently working as a Validation Engineer for the past year, having working for free for 6 months with the same company. I have a mortgage here which can tie you up a bit too.

I am just wondering with your Mech friends, are the salaries any way reasonable as I am currently on 20k less than I was a Structural Engineer. I can understand that training etc. is required.

As for me I am still thinking and contemplating going abroad and that salaries may be better in the likes of Canada/Australia as an Engineer.

con1982

My Mech Eng friends are on 60plus. Mostly contract workers.

godtabh

I'm working in Civil engineering. Donal is the process engineer.

con1982

con1982 wrote: »

Godtabh - Did you do any training to switch over to project engineer in manufacturing? I've a few Mech Eng friends who do validation in the pharma industry.

Basically I got in as a joint Project Engineer / Planner role as I had experience with project management and maintenance planning from a previous job (I emphasized my all round engineering experience (multi-disciplined I think I mentioned several times) in my CV/interview).

If you're looking at courses there are a good few courses Engineers Ireland run which are meant to give a grounding in Pharma/Mech for Civil Engineers, I've been meaning to look at them to give myself a better chance at the next job. Or alternatively there are post grad diplomas in the likes of IT Tallaght.

Pope John 11

Ok,

I have just completed one year with a pharma company. 6 months training and 6 months pay. They have seen alot of what I could bring to their company including pricing and tendering projects, contract documentation, tender reports, programme schedules, keeping Minutes of Meeting and AutoCAD dwgs.

I now have a reasonable knowledge of validation having completed IQ/OQ/PQ protocols, Change Controls, Risk Assessments, Validation Master Plans, User Requirement Specs.

I have just been informed today that there is a role there for me but the specification for the role needs to be defined. Because the Plant is looking to build next door and put in new production lines and Clean in Place systems they are looking for a Project Engineer/Validation Engineer type role.

They have requested me to draw up a job specification and it will be discussed with Senior Mgt. I have over 10 years civil/Structrual engineering experience, 5 as a senior project engineer. What salary level should I expect to take in and how would you go about defining your role, without overly defining it.

I am concerned about laying all the cards on the table and not getting a justified salary for the role.

Rabidlamb

con1982 wrote: »

My Mech Eng friends are on 60plus. Mostly contract workers.

I'm a Mech & used earn more than that but not anymore.
Lost 25% about 4 years ago & pay freeze since.

I get the impression things are starting to turn though.
I got my first work placement in 1997 at £12k a year.
Celtic Tiger years saw huge inflation due to competition, I found you only realise your maximum pay once you hand in your notice.
I benefited from a bidding war on 2 separate occasions as I tried to change employer.
All the while headhunting companies trying to chase you down with hello money & huge guaranteed bonuses.

I'm not saying these were healthy days for the industry, keeping a job during the recession may be the most valuable reward I've ever received.

A fella called fish

I'll be honest, and tell you I currently earn €33k per year as a senior Chartered Structural Engineer. MIStructE and MIEI.

So what now..do we just keep plodding along waiting on salaries to improve? How long will that take?! Do we give it another 10 years?? Another 15?! The way things are going I feel that, although I love the work itself, I've wasted my time in college - should have picked something else, as if this keeps going I will retire broke and disappointed.

con1982

Don't get too disheartened.

From speaking with other chartered engineers in civil/structural, the low 30s seems to be the norm. I'm including myself, the recently self-employed and others looking for work.

I do feel there is an improvement in salaries on the way. IMO, construction hit a low point about three years ago and has been plodding along since. The changes to building control should result in better pay for qualified professionals. It makes the black market harder to operate and requires a greater degree of inspection and certification.

The Uk is an option if you are willing. Mid to high 40s is on offer.

A pay freeze, without adjustment for inflation, is actually a pay cut. We reached the bottom some time ago. I don't accept further pay cuts. Neither should other hard working engineers.

impr0v

This thread is depressing.

Low Energy Eng

I left Ireland for Australia 6months ago... I'm earning more than twice what I was at home, and I'm on the lower end of the pay scale here due to lack of Australian experience. Considering it's likely I'll get a pay rise after a year,maybe a Christmas bonus, better working conditions, better weather, better quality of life, the only regret iI have is not doing it sooner

CatFromHue

When you say you're earning more than twice you were at home is that in pure gross pay terms (ie 30K Euro and now $65K Aussie Dollars) or that your quality of living/money after all bills and food paid is twice what it would be in Euro terms in Ireland.

The reason I ask is that I was working in Melbourne in October for $30 an hour which was actually kinda poor pay really. Minimum wage is about $16 I think.

mandrake04

The average salary for Engineering jobs in Australia is I think $120K, depends on the discipline though but if you are qualified and a bit of experience then starting would be roughly around $90K.

A good rule of thumb for Oz is professionals $50+ ph and skilled trade around $40, semi-skilled around $30 ph and unskilled around $25.

Danfogarty

What type of Salary would one expect on a graduate Mech engineer role with a Masters? I'm starting on 26K with a pat review in 6 months, based on that what pay increase should I be negotiating?

godtabh

Danfogarty wrote: »

What type of Salary would one expect on a graduate Mech engineer role with a Masters? I'm starting on 26K with a pat review in 6 months, based on that what pay increase should I be negotiating?

Sounds about right

Pembily

Danfogarty wrote: »

What type of Salary would one expect on a graduate Mech engineer role with a Masters? I'm starting on 26K with a pat review in 6 months, based on that what pay increase should I be negotiating?

26k is a lower starting salary for a Masters. They generally make an offer. 10% is considered a decent pay rise but it is all dependent on your performance.

godtabh

I would have thought 26k is the upper limit for graduates?

Pembily

godtabh wrote: »

I would have thought 26k is the upper limit for graduates?

Without a masters yes. A masters does give you added value.

godtabh

a graduate regardless of masters or not is of little use straight out of college unless in a specialist role. I wouldn't expect an employer to pay more than €28k for a masters and given that graduate civil roles are starting on €24/25k that to me is pushing it

Pembily

godtabh wrote: »

a graduate regardless of masters or not is of little use straight out of college unless in a specialist role. I wouldn't expect an employer to pay more than €28k for a masters and given that graduate civil roles are starting on €24/25k that to me is pushing it

It depends on the company. Some are paying graduate Mech engineers €30k some are paying €20k. It also depends on the person, some graduates do have experience.

harryr711

Average starting salary for mech grads is €30k

Gin77

I'm a toolmaker studying Manufacturing technology part time in WIT. I should have a level 6 after this year. My hope if to get a level 7/8 degree.
Given the salary figures on the thread I don't know if its worth completing the course.

godtabh

its a starting salary. After that who knows how much you could earn Probably not alot in the grand scheme of things but you'll do ok

Euthro

30k starting wage for a graduate is very good in Ireland especially with no experience I did civil and you would be lucky to get 20-22k starting.

who_am_I?

Gin77 wrote: »

I'm a toolmaker studying Manufacturing technology part time in WIT. I should have a level 6 after this year. My hope if to get a level 7/8 degree.
Given the salary figures on the thread I don't know if its worth completing the course.

Short answer is with your background and a level 8 and relocated down the road in Cork salarys start at 50k,

jiminho

Curiously, I know asking what salaries people expect to get is a touch and go topic but what would a Project Engineer/Civil Engineer in the water consultancy sector expect to make with 3-4 years experience, Chartered + a MSc in Enviro Engineering?

godtabh

jiminho wrote: »

Curiously, I know asking what salaries people expect to get is a touch and go topic but what would a Project Engineer/Civil Engineer in the water consultancy sector expect to make with 3-4 years experience, Chartered + a MSc in Enviro Engineering?

Around €40-€45

jiminho

godtabh wrote: »

Around €40-€45

Thanks godtabh. Could you guesstimate what someone with similar qualifications would have earner pre-recession? And do you think 2-3 years would be a good time to come back to Ireland (currently in Canada)? Just your opinion more than anything else would be insightful, I know all these questions are like predicting the weather.

2011

godtabh wrote: »

Around €40-€45

That seems a bit on the low side to me.

godtabh

jiminho wrote: »

Thanks godtabh. Could you guesstimate what someone with similar qualifications would have earner pre-recession? And do you think 2-3 years would be a good time to come back to Ireland (currently in Canada)? Just your opinion more than anything else would be insightful, I know all these questions are like predicting the weather.

Pre recession you may have gotten upto €50k

2011 wrote: »

That seems a bit on the low side to me.

With 8 years experience, chartered and a masters in engineering I'm not on much more than the €40-€45k now.

with 4 years experience chartered and a masters in engineering I was just above the higher limit pre recession.

There isn't great money to be made in civil engineering

2011

godtabh wrote: »

With 8 years experience, chartered and a masters in engineering I'm not on much more than the €40-€45k now.

with 4 years experience chartered and a masters in engineering I was just above the higher limit pre recession.

There isn't great money to be made in civil engineering

Fair enough, if that is your discipline you would know better than me.

Alkers

Pembily wrote: »

26k is a lower starting salary for a Masters. They generally make an offer. 10% is considered a decent pay rise but it is all dependent on your performance.

In terms of Civils, some graduates are being offered positions via Jobsbridge. €26k is higher end of the scale in terms of what I've seen. I've seen a lot of €20k, €22k, some at €25k and then one position (CIE) which was €33k.

I'm out of college 6 months, just got a 15% increase and I'm still below €25k :cool:

godtabh

Was the CIE one through Engineers Ireland? I heard they all got let go before their contract ended?

Alkers

godtabh wrote: »

Was the CIE one through Engineers Ireland? I heard they all got let go before their contract ended?

Yeah it was advertised through IEI, mad salary for a graduate position when the industry as it is in fairness. Would have thought job security would have been pretty good once you got your foot in the door there?

godtabh

I think it some sore of scam. A fixed term contract with EI who second the staff out to CIE who then pay EI a management fee. Done to get around the recruitment ban. Went for a similar role with Railway Safety Commission and thats the way it was set up. You are not taken on as a permeant member of staff

Alkers

Then why advertise it as a graduate role and why have the wages so high?

godtabh

You would have to ask them

Eimear_K

Hi there, looking for some advice. I'm a senior civil engineer, chartered, masters degree and 7 years experience (4 Ireland, 3 Australia). I currently live in Sydney and want to move home for personal reasons. I've started looking into salaries at home and the range seems to be huge. I mostly work in stormwater design and project management.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what kind of salary I could expect?

godtabh

Eimear_K wrote: »

Hi there, looking for some advice. I'm a senior civil engineer, chartered, masters degree and 7 years experience (4 Ireland, 3 Australia). I currently live in Sydney and want to move home for personal reasons. I've started looking into salaries at home and the range seems to be huge. I mostly work in stormwater design and project management.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what kind of salary I could expect?

I'd be more worried about getting a job

Eimear_K

Hi there, me again. Still planning on moving back to Ireland, still living in hope that I'll get a useful reply!

There do seem to be jobs out there and I have an interview but I am completely at a loss as to what the salaries are like or whether the offer I have been given is fair. In summary - civil engineer, 7 - 8 yrs exp, chartered, masters... any ideas as to what is a reasonable expectation? 25 - 30k? 30 - 35k? 35-40k? 40 -45k? Complete ballpark is all I'm looking for and I'm sure the info will be useful to others

Btw, the offer is 35-40k bracket.

Really appreciate some guidance!

godtabh

Eimear_K wrote: »

Hi there, me again. Still planning on moving back to Ireland, still living in hope that I'll get a useful reply!

There do seem to be jobs out there and I have an interview but I am completely at a loss as to what the salaries are like or whether the offer I have been given is fair. In summary - civil engineer, 7 - 8 yrs exp, chartered, masters... any ideas as to what is a reasonable expectation? 25 - 30k? 30 - 35k? 35-40k? 40 -45k? Complete ballpark is all I'm looking for and I'm sure the info will be useful to others

Btw, the offer is 35-40k bracket.

Really appreciate some guidance!

If its the higher end of the bracket i would take it. Reality is there isnt much out there so to get anything is a plus

Eimear_K

Thanks! I think you're right; very glad to go home to a job.

commited

Interesting thread and a bit depressing as I'm pondering a return to Ireland. Is the job market really still that cut throat?

jiminho wrote: »

Curiously, I know asking what salaries people expect to get is a touch and go topic but what would a Project Engineer/Civil Engineer in the water consultancy sector expect to make with 3-4 years experience, Chartered + a MSc in Enviro Engineering?

godtabh wrote: »

Around €40-€45

godtabh wrote: »

With 8 years experience, chartered and a masters in engineering I'm not on much more than the €40-€45k now.

godtabh wrote: »

If its the higher end of the bracket i would take it.

I find this confusing (although nothing about the Irish job market would surprise me) - 4 years experience @ €40-45k but 7 years experience @ €35-40k and 8 years experience €45k+?