Is this wage rightCould someone please tell me if this wage is appropriate for my responsibilities? I am a Manufacturing Engineering Technician in Redmond, WA. I have a BS in EET and 8 years of experience as an Electronics Technician. My present responsibilities include designing, constructing, and performing experiments for existing and new manufacturing equipment; initializing, maintaining, and repairing at least half a dozen manufacturing systems; writing technical reports; building and organizing a PM system; training equipment operators; requisitioning tools and parts; and I also assist in design of future manufacturing systems. I'm getting paid $20/hour. Does that sound right for this area? I'm just trying to figure out how I compare to my peers. Thanks in advance The more important question that you have to figure out is what it costs you per month, on average, to pay your bills, make ends meet, and at least maintain your present standard of living. In addition, are you receiving benefits on your present job? If you are, benefits can be worth anywhere from 25% to 35% of your salary. Assuming you are receiving benefits and they're at least 25% of your salary, your salary and benefit package puts you in low $50K range. If you're living comfortably and putting away some money in savings, or whatever, then the salary is probably satisfactory. If you're having trouble getting along financially, then the salary is probably too low. Focus on your income needs, not what jobs like yours are supposed to pay in your part of the world. Zat help? Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert Thanks for the response, Paul. As a matter of fact, I do get benefits. Health, dental, vision, AD&D, stock options. A pretty decent package, I think. And I have asked myself that more important question, which is what prompted my post. I'm in a bit of a financial pinch, and I want to know if there is any reasonable hope of finding a better paying job doing the same thing. I'm pretty sure no employer is going to pay me based on what my bills are, but on what I'm doing for them. That's why I'm trying to find out what is reasonable to expect. I know I'm worth more, but will I be the only one who thinks so? Thanks again.
The best thing is to test the waters. Get a resume together and start circulating it. Are there potential employers in your area? If so, target them and see what you come up with.
I still think you need to know what your financial requirements are - even if you never have to tell anybody. What you could also do is come up with an anticipated salary range that 10% to 15% higher than you're earning now. So, when you're asked about expected salary, you can say something like, "My anticipated salary is negotiable within the $X to $Y range," letting X equal your present salary plus 10% and letting Y equal your salary plus 15%. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert That's great advice, NS. I've already started in fact, and I have a few potentials I'm targeting. But if I don't get an offer from them, I'll still not know whether or not I'm getting a fair deal now. But in that case, I guess nothing changes. There are a bunch of temp agencies around here that I'm thinking about talking to also, to see if I'm earning a decent wage now. Maybe they can get me something better. But I've dealt w/ them before and I know they don't always show all their cards. They have to make their money, too, after all. Hey Paul, Oh, I know well what my financial requirements are; I've got the gnawed fingernails to prove it. A 10% to 15% hike would help out bigtime, but how do I know if it's reasonable to ask or look for it? What if I'm already at the high end of the pay range for all the people just like me, doing what I do? Then, won't I look stupid expecting more? That's what I'm trying to avoid. I'm just trying to figure out if there is room for improvement in my wage, or if I'm already maxed out and should start selling my plasma. Hasn't somebody, somewhere, done a study or something on this (besides salary.com)? Thanks again. The only "study" that matters is what is happening in your area, in your industry right now. Pick up the paper or go to job sites and see what the same or similar jobs requiring the same or similar education and experience are paying to give you real-time data. In addition to following up on Chet's advice, I don't think it's unreasonable at all to anticipate a bump in salary in the 10% to 15% range. Assuming you've done your research, and you propose an anticipated salary range that's 10% to 15% higher, and you get absolutely no positive responses, (which I doubt), then you may have to adjust your range downward, but I wouldn't assume that by any means. The idea is to advance one's career and earnings over time, as experience, skills, and training all improve. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert You mention temp agencies. Don't worry too much what the agency is making, just what they're paying you. Are you free to travel? An agency might find you a contract gig nearly anywhere. Some guys earn a good living that way. | |
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