What is the typical salary (if there is such a thing), of the 'chief-of-surveys' for a relatively large engineering firm. In the beginning, this licensed surveyor would be responsible for 4 to 6 crews. A friend wants to know...Thanks!
Well...
Here's an ad for a Chief of Party for East Bay Muni Utilty District in the Bay Area...
http://www.californiasurveyors.org/clsaforum/showthread.php?t=4576
Wow..and they do not even require a license. I guess it depends on what part of the country you live in. New York, large engineering company..I would guess 65K to 75K, with a license.
Union party chiefs working for contractors in the NY metro area are earning over six figures without OT.
Every salary is dependent on production.... running 6 crews in the ground NOTHING, Running them efficiently in a good economy with high margins??? 55-75K depending on revenue. The base salaries around here are on the low end, but with bonuses and profit share (small, really small) you would be close the top of that mark.
Union salaries are not reflective of the real world.
> Union salaries are not reflective of the real world.
Neither are the expenses living in the NY metro area.
However, "the real world" is a pretty subjective concept.
Union wages are artificially determined.
Are non-union surveyor salaries comparable to union salaries in that area? If not, then they're outside the realm of real-world salaries, which are subject to the ups/downs of the economy, and what typically will determine salaries.
Just some quick numbers to consider.... could be way off but.....
Say 4 crews times 65% billible times 2080 hours/yr times $200/hour is
somewheres north of a million.... then he will probably be expected to be at least 50% billible @ say $125/hr ....
Seems like six figures goes without saying.
I do not think you can quote a salary. Every situation is different. It boils down to what the employer is willing to pay and what the individual is willing to work for.
What the heck does "artificially determined" mean? (I assume you are referring to collective bargaining, which is a legally protected right.) Are non-union wages "naturally determined"?
There are varying types of employers, to start with. Some employers are willing to pay their employees above industry or area standards in order to hire the best qualified employees possible. Other employers try to stay around the median salary for their particular geographic area, or the median of thier area of expertise. Of course there are some (probably too many) who pay as little as they can. Generally, employers want to feel that their salary offers are good enough to attract qualified candidates without paying too much.
From the employees point of view, your prospective job is worth what the marketplace will bear. Individuals with certain skills may be in varying degrees of demand, depending on geographic and economic conditions. Those who have the particular knowledge, skills, and credentials to do the job are in high demand.
100K to 125K before bonuses in the DC area
It means what it means.
Your "legally protected right" aside, it's not the normal way that wages are determined - what the market will bear.
Take away all federal, state, and municipal jobs requiring unions or prevailing wages, and no one would be able to get paid those salaries - because no one could afford it.
Federal, state, and municipal jobs don't "require" unions, they recognize them.
If your friend is going to work for a relatively large engineering firm, then I would say that he should be asking for as much as the Chief of Engineers at that firm. Your worth (in dollars) is only that in which someone else is willing to pay.
If you have the May issue POB they had a Salary Study. I have a pdf copy, shoot me an email and i can send it to you.
Digital editions can be downloaded from the magazine's website.
In a large engineering firm (say ENR 150) the position will be a division manager or VP and a six figure salary.
At most of the larger firms I worked at it was a 6 figure salary. That persons job is primarily to get more work and review mapping. Some firms have a lower person review and sign so the VP can focus on business development.
I will top 6 figures in Nov (w/ OT), No license, and only responsible for 2 crews and one cad guy.