How Much of Pay Raise after PE Certification?

[Flyer_PE]

I'm ok with letting the market determine the prevailing wage. I know what I'm worth in the market place and I know the things I have to do to maintain or increase that worth. The problem with the whole solidarity idea is that getting engineers to band together is a lot like trying to herd cats. I think we're independent thinkers by nature and that just doesn't square well with everybody pulling on the same end of the rope.

:2cents:

 

[Dleg]

^^So are attorneys and doctors, in my opinion. Yet, they manage to stick together.

 

[Dark Knight]

I never said I did not believe in the PE, just in the way that it is administered. I will be sitting for it next year, my points are more toward the antiquated rules governing it. If the test is so consuming, why the disparity between ABET and non ABET schools in allowing admittance to the exam. You either pass or you dont. That said I restate my point. By law the only industry that a PE MUST stamp and sign is building construction, therefore if the main entrance is schooling, it should be limited to an archeng degree. Like I said before, a degree in glass engineering from an ABET school is crazy but the rules allow it. It is just as crazy to allow any PE in most not all states to sign any drawing. Their own rules invalidate and weaken the value of a PE to where it is almost a joke. There isn't an electrical PE I know (after over 30 years I know a lot) that wont defer to a master electrician every time.

I am sure you are posting based on your experiences but this is a big world after all. The engineers in your company, or the companies you have worked, are not the only ones in the world and for that reason a label cannot be used based on your experiences. It is possible that you really believe what you are saying. But that does not mean you are right. You will change your mind after passing the test. You will see.

 

[Dleg]

I consider "civil" to be part of the construction industry.

Well, I think you're very wrong if you also then still believe that "architectural engineering" is the only suitable degree for someone who designs sewage treatment plants or highways, etc. etc. etc.

 

[KenC]

I should have been more specific. I meant to state designs MEP systems.

 

[IlPadrino]

I believe this is where the difference is. The only feild that REQUIRES a PE stamp to the besst of my knowledge is in the construction industry. One does not need to stamp any other drawings to my knowledge....

.

.

So tell me, outside of construction engineering, what good is a PE

It is a matter of State law. In Oregon,

672.007 Acts constituting practice of engineering, land surveying.
(1) Within the meaning of ORS 672.002 to 672.325, a person shall be considered practicing or offering to practice engineering who:
(a) By verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, card or in any other way implies that the person is or purports to be a registered professional engineer;
(b) Through the use of some other title implies that the person is an engineer or a registered professional engineer; or
(c)  Purports to be able to perform, or who does perform, any service or work that is defined by ORS 672.005 as the practice of engineering.

672.005 Additional definitions.
As used in ORS 672.002 to 672.325, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) “Practice of engineering” or “practice of professional engineering” means doing any of the following:
   (a) Performing any professional service or creative work requiring engineering education, training and
experience.
   (b) Applying special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences to such professional
services or creative work as consultation, investigation, testimony, evaluation, planning, design and services
during construction, manufacture or fabrication for the purpose of ensuring compliance with specifications
and design, in connection with any public or private utilities, structures, buildings, machines, equipment,
processes, works or projects.
   (c) Surveying to determine area or topography.
   (d) Surveying to establish lines, grades or elevations, or to determine or estimate quantities of materials
required, removed or in place.
   (e) Surveying required for design and construction layout of engineering and architectural infrastructure.
   (f) Performing photogrammetric mapping.

applies to those who can advertise for engineering services. You *must* be a registered PE to engage in the "practice of engineering" (unless, of course, you're working under a PE).

 

[Capt Worley PE]

^^So are attorneys and doctors, in my opinion. Yet, they manage to stick together.

I don't think those guys are independent thinkers at all. Groupthink seems to be big with the lawyers I know...they are forever seeking concensus. I'm not saying that's bad, it just is.

 

[C-Dog]

I never said I did not believe in the PE, just in the way that it is administered. I will be sitting for it next year, my points are more toward the antiquated rules governing it. If the test is so consuming, why the disparity between ABET and non ABET schools in allowing admittance to the exam. You either pass or you dont. That said I restate my point. By law the only industry that a PE MUST stamp and sign is building construction, therefore if the main entrance is schooling, it should be limited to an archeng degree. Like I said before, a degree in glass engineering from an ABET school is crazy but the rules allow it. It is just as crazy to allow any PE in most not all states to sign any drawing. Their own rules invalidate and weaken the value of a PE to where it is almost a joke. There isn't an electrical PE I know (after over 30 years I know a lot) that wont defer to a master electrician every time.

Soon you will be required to have over 30 credits of graduate level schooling (ie Master's Degree). I think this is a good requirement. I don't like the idea of going to electronic tests...

http://www.ncees.org/licensure/licensure_e.../le_2007_10.pdf

Odds are if you were a glass engineer, you would not sit for a civil or arch. exam. Most likely sit for the metallurgy and materials exam. This is why there are over 18 exams!

 

[DVINNY]

good point C-Dog,

and we have a big thread around here somewhere about the 30 additional credits, I'll have to look for it.

 

[Dleg]

It's in the general engineering section, pretty close to the top

 

[DVINNY]

Good call Dleg, we appreciate it

http://engineerboards.com/index.php?showtopic=4350

 

[GSavant]

Regarding Government Service, here's my perspective...
Be sure to recognize that different parts of the government will offer you a different experience. Regarding the military, there's even a big difference between the Army's Corps of Engineers and the Navy's NAVFAC. I think NAVFAC is a great organization to work for (OK... so maybe my perspective is a bit jaded!) and I think most would find it very rewarding. There are *VERY FEW* NAVFAC civil servants working in Iraq (unlike the Corps of Engineers, who own that geographic area), but I can tell you the Navy's Contingency Engineers are doing some great work as reach-back resources.

Also, regarding pay and the civil service, you "old-timers" should read up on NSPS which replaces the General Schedule (GS) pay system for non-bargaining unit employees. Who knows if it will really work as advertised, but the concepts are certainly sound.

There's certainly been a shift towards best-value contracting and design-build construction... but I'm not sure that's had a negative impact on the military engineering profession. I do agree you'll get a lot more "management" experience with government service than "get your hands dirty" engineering experience.

I work for the USACE and I can tell you the only place that actually has challenging work is the ERDC.

 

[Melanie11]

I got 5% but I work for the government and it is true if you leave and go somewhere else you can do better it seems!

 

[engr_tam]

All we get is $100 per month extra.

But then, they were willing to pay for the prep course, the books, the application fee, test fee, and the first year's registration fee.

So it's not all that bad.

I think they maybe put you on a different pay scale, but I'm not sure. I'm happy with letters at the end of my name!

 

[Chrispy]

All we get is $100 per month extra. But then, they were willing to pay for the prep course, the books, the application fee, test fee, and the first year's registration fee.

So it's not all that bad.

I think they maybe put you on a different pay scale, but I'm not sure. I'm happy with letters at the end of my name!

But if you do the math even $100 a month adds up -- as you will ALWAYS make $100 a month more (assuming you stay at the same place). Your next raise will be higher if it is percentage based, and so on...

 

[Desert Engineer]

I cant remember if I posted my increase yet, so here it is. I received a 4k bonus (I had to sign a contract that I would return a prorated amount of money, if I am fired or quit within 4 yrs), and a 7.7% increase because of a promotion.

 

[LindaM]

I never said I did not believe in the PE, just in the way that it is administered. I will be sitting for it next year, my points are more toward the antiquated rules governing it. If the test is so consuming, why the disparity between ABET and non ABET schools in allowing admittance to the exam. You either pass or you dont. That said I restate my point. By law the only industry that a PE MUST stamp and sign is building construction, therefore if the main entrance is schooling, it should be limited to an archeng degree. Like I said before, a degree in glass engineering from an ABET school is crazy but the rules allow it. It is just as crazy to allow any PE in most not all states to sign any drawing. Their own rules invalidate and weaken the value of a PE to where it is almost a joke. There isn't an electrical PE I know (after over 30 years I know a lot) that wont defer to a master electrician every time.

I'm sure you don't know what an engineer with a degree in Ceramic Engineering does! It is ignorant of you to say that a "degree in glass engineering from an ABET school is crazy" when you don't even know what you are talking about! I have a degree in Metallurgical Engineering from one of the top Engineering universities in the country and studied with many Ceramic Engineers. One very talented ceramic engineer designed tiny glass microspheres that are able to be irradiated and are now used to treat advanced Kidney and liver cancer, which previously were fatal within less than a year! Without Metallurgical and Ceramic Engineers, many advances in medicine would never have occurred! Know what you are talking about before you offer your "opinions as fact."

I worked on several projects in the automobile industry where mechanical engineers had specified the WRONG metal for an application. After all the testing required (on the road), they came to us after the application was "approved" but was failing at an unacceptable level during manufacture. When we told them that the material was incorrect for the application (it could not make the necessary 180 degree bends), they didn't want to go through the years-long reapproval process. We had to figure out how to manufacture the specified "wrong" material with tighter than industry-standard tolerances to meet the demanding application, which still resulted in 10-15% defects. In the end, there was a recall on the engine that used those parts and the material was ultimately changed. ALL due to a mechanical engineer specifying the wrong material because material selection is really way beyond what most mechanical engineers are experts at. Half the battle for ALL engineers, whether with PE or not, is knowing when they are working beyond their scope of expertise and calling in the appropriate expert when necessary.

 

[Nick]

If there isn't one out there, can we start a poll on this topic?

How much of a raise did you receive? 1-2% 3-5% 6-10% >10% or in $$$

Also,

Did you recieve a one-time Bonus? No $$ <$1000 <$3000 <$5000

I assume most of us will receive word via our yearly evaluation here in a couple of weeks...

 

[BoogieDownPE]

I work for a consulting firm and we get $25/week bonus ($1300/year) for passing the PE.

 

[Nick]

I'm also w/ a private consulting firm and get a one-time $3K bonus and I hope I get a pretty big raise here soon! :beerchug: