Keeping Up With The Average

[HybridAWD]

Is there anywhere I could go to get a general idea on what the market value is with someone with my experience?

I'd prefer not to move out of Va, but I feel as if we are all being underpaid for our experience and knowledge. On top of that, being overworked and underpaid is never fun, at least overpay for a change :)

So, what is the best way of gathering information to show to my HR director to try and get a little bigger piece of the pie? CareerBuilder.com and all of them don't give salary information, and I'd prefer not to place my resume on there so I don't get bombarded with emails, phone calls, etc.

So can someone direct me somewhere that might be able to help me? I don't even know if this exist or not, but it's better than going into a meeting with my boss and the HR saying I want $xx,xxx a year since it's the average. Thanks everyone

[dave]

Nick, try posting what your responsibilities are and how many years you have been doing it. This will give us a better idea.

[HybridAWD]

- "Head" of the 2D Design Group
- Basically a fancy way of saying I distribute the work 2D wise so the boss can sit in meetings

- 1 1/2 year experience with AutoPLANT P&ID - Soon to be 2 years
- I feel I am above average when it comes to quality and delivery of P&ID's

- Responsibility of training new hires

- Responsibility of troubleshooting any issues with P&ID users

- Project Administrator

I could get more elaborate, but I think I've given a general idea of what I do.

[dave]

and you make roughly how much now?

[HybridAWD]

between 12-16

[Aplant Monkey]

When you say 1 1/2 years are you talking about total industry experience or as an Admin. Are you a Piper by trade?

Our guys here (Calgary) who are about the same level of Exp. probably make about $20-$25/hour as a Piper. Our Admins always make more. Starting $$ for an Admin around here would be $30/hour+. But our admins would have a min of 5 years exp in piping prior to being hired as an admin. Having said that, I believe it makes a big difference what market you are from. I am not familiar with the market in your area but the market here and I would assume in Houston is very strong so guys are able to demand a higher $$.

[HybridAWD]

Yes 1 1/2 total industry experience (Ethanol). That is where I lack unfortunately, but that takes time. Thanks for the input, you are very right about the area and the market. Too bad I don't live in Texas or Canada.

I'd love to see a diagram of average pay for a experienced designer vs. cost of living for that area. I guess that is where you'd truly see where the money is to be made. I think for the area we are in, I may try to aim for $18-$20. That seems fair to me, lets just see what they think.

[AplantAdmin]

When you say 1 1/2 years are you talking about total industry experience or as an Admin. Are you a Piper by trade?

Our guys here (Calgary) who are about the same level of Exp. probably make about $20-$25/hour as a Piper. Our Admins always make more. Starting $$ for an Admin around here would be $30/hour+. But our admins would have a min of 5 years exp in piping prior to being hired as an admin. Having said that, I believe it makes a big difference what market you are from. I am not familiar with the market in your area but the market here and I would assume in Houston is very strong so guys are able to demand a higher $$.

can I have a job there??? But i don't think i would come there for less than $65/hr. Considering thats what most of the big companies are offering now. I have seen a couple of other posting for more, but they wanted 10+ years experience in autoplant/pds/pdms/intools etc. And that job was $90/hr

[Aplant Monkey]

Steve,

now I know you would love to work here but com'n leave Sarnia, you wouldn't know what to do with yourself in the big city.

The numbers you are quoting are for contract positions not staff. Add about 22% to my numbers to equate to a contract position.

[dave]

Nick, there is only one way to find out what you're worth to someone else and it does not involve your current employer. I don't know how many times I have felt underpaid somewhere but just put up with it because I was comfortable there. A friend of mine once told me that the 3 biggest raises he has ever received is when he left company A to work for company B.

I would suggest approaching it as though you were applying for your job. List the duties and responsibility and your expected price tag. If they don't go for it at least you know where they stand and you can make your choices from there.

[HybridAWD]

Thanks for all of the input, everything has been a help so far. The big day is becoming closer and closer. I love where I work, but who is to say I wouldn't love it somewhere it.

[Aplant Monkey]

Guys,

I came across this web page recently and it might shed some light on this topic. Not too sure what is the best description of what we do but I think it would be the System Administrator postion.

http://www.powerplantjobs.com/ppj.nsf/salarysurvey2?openform&count=1000.com

[Packin31]

Cad Drafter wow $160,674 for 10-20 yrs. I have that. Looks like I need to bring this up to my manager. At that rate my wife wouldn't have to be working. Boy she would love that.

[dave]

Monkey, those numbers seem terribly low for the market we're in.

[AplantAdmin]

Steve,

now I know you would love to work here but com'n leave Sarnia, you wouldn't know what to do with yourself in the big city.

The numbers you are quoting are for contract positions not staff. Add about 22% to my numbers to equate to a contract position.

What i'm not originally from Sarnia. I could leave here in a heartbeat. As for big city, well i'd just have to find somewere outside of the city and commute.

Yes the numbers are for contracts. The job that Bantrel offered a friend that I work with was for $75 contract or $65 staff. He took the contract. Jacobs was offering up to $90 in Calgary. He would have taken the job out there but his father got sick so he stayed here in Ontario

[dave]

is that $90k or $90/hr?

[HybridAWD]

man, i need to get my resume out... seriously

[dave]

that's $90/hr

[Aplant Monkey]

it is not uncommon for us to be making $90/hour here.

[dave]

:o wow, I would think about that but I couldn't afford the pay cut - doop!