OK I have a question regarding salaries. Not getting into too much specifics, what would everyone think a licensed survey (first year) in the Northwest PA be making?
30,000?
40,000?
50,000?
Thanks
Perhaps 10% more than what an LSI preparing for the exam was making last year.
Move to southwest PA and you could double those 🙂
The same as a PE with similar experience in the same market.
> Move to southwest PA and you could double those 🙂
Yeah, but then the OP would have to live in southwest PA rather than on the lake.
A lot also depends on the size and structure of the employer. A local small practioner is going to have to pay less than a large, national firm that must maintain a much higher salary structure because of frequent moves and cost-of-living allowances in different economies. Many times a lower salary can (not guaranteed) offer better security in slow times.
If you don't mind having to work for a horse's patoot, then chase that dollar.
Different strokes ...
I got a $1500 bonus for my license in 2012 and a 35 cent raise in April of 2013. I didn't get anything for the other state I got licensed in back in July of 2013 and I'm not sure what raises will bring in April. I think we are both in areas with similar economy's.
I work for a small to mid sized engineering/surveying/arch firm with about 25 people.
At this point I have everything I need to start doing my own thing but enough cash in the bank to cover lean times.
Good luck.
If it is for oil & gas, in Texas the range is about $70k-$120.
Correct. Also one would need to ask what is more important, a fleeting higher salary, or a career with a stable firm (if it is one).
I am a non licensed glorified instrumentman and wouldnt get out of the bed for any of those.
If I were you I would take the fifty.
Celery
Hey Roadie, long time no gossip. Tough to be a hockey fan nowadays, eh. Maybe we'll both back our way in.... god forbid. Bigger hill for your Stars, but won't rub it in. I may be in line for hind teet too. First time in 23 yrs, and even my boots don't last that long.
Agree with the 50K. Tough times nowadays. Take the money and wait till the next election....lol. The old days of over compensation are over. Live & learn.
BTW, what is with the Arkansas deal? I thought you were building bridges & tunnels in DFW. Cheers to ya bud...wrg
Oh yea, love your pix of your new gal pal.... nice hat
I can't tell you what someone PA should be making.
A few things to consider are: Is the company benefiting from the license? (ie did the lsi just take his test and get licensed, but still surveying under someone else's licensure).
Is it a new-hire, and, again, did was the company only looking for a field hand and not need a licensed surveyor?
What is the value of the employee to the company? How efficient is he at his job; is he making the company money...etc.
Not that I disagree with your question. It's just as important that the company pays you a fair wage, as it is important that you don't expect more than you are worth. It would be nice to be able to see a salary surveyor for different parts of the country.
> OK I have a question regarding salaries. Not getting into too much specifics, what would everyone think a licensed survey (first year) in the Northwest PA be making?
> 30,000?
> 40,000?
> 50,000?
>
> Thanks
What value Is this non-specific Newly licensed LS bringing to the firm?
Client contacts?
Bringing in work?
Under budget on projects?
Helping to increase efficiencies?
Guessing this individual will be billed out higher than before and that they will need to be more efficient to justify a higher bill out rate on projects.
My unlicensed crew chief (but working towards it) makes in the upper end of that.
And is due a good raise in May.
But he also has to put up with my hard arse end even I would not want to put up with that.;-)
Randy
Celery
> BTW, what is with the Arkansas deal? I thought you were building bridges & tunnels in DFW. Cheers to ya bud...wrg
>
> Oh yea, love your pix of your new gal pal.... nice hat
We finished the bridges, then I transferred to the light rail there in Dfw , finished it and got sent to arkghanistan. I'll be here until about August then it's off to who knows where. I was actually in Phoenix training up some guys there on the rail equipment when I wrote. I am a geographicaltard and thought everything in Arizona was close to Phoenix and thought maybe I could treat you to a barley pop or two while I was there. Man you can't beat that weather y'all have going on down there now, maybe when they're through with me here I could get on there. That district has a lot of work all over the southwest and Hawaii too.
My stars may make a run, but in reality they are still probably two years out from going deep. We need a Dman or two, but Jim nil knows that . The future is way brighter than it's been in a while. Your wings must be getting old, they should be burning through that weak east.
Good to see you made your way back , the board needs more hockey.
No idea what the standard range is in that area of the US but at 50k that's only $24/hr for a standard work year with 40hr weeks. That seems ridiculously low anywhere for a licensed surveyor.
My question is what rate are they billing your time at? If they are billing your time out at 20% more than as a SIT then I think a comparable raise is expected. Also if they are billing you out at $150/hr and you are 90% billable x 40hr week = $5400/wk x 4wk/mth =$21,600/month well you see where this is going!
> My question is what rate are they billing your time at? If they are billing your time out at 20% more than as a SIT then I think a comparable raise is expected. Also if they are billing you out at $150/hr and you are 90% billable x 40hr week = $5400/wk x 4wk/mth =$21,600/month well you see where this is going!
Billing rate has nothing to do with his salary. If you have extremely low overhead due to a very efficient office your billing rate should be less than a company that has extremely high overhead. The company has to pay overhead first and then factor in the desired amount of profit to determine the billing rate. I'm not sure how things are in PA but certain municipalities in this area require pre approved overhead rates(based on audits), combined with an allowable level of profit(as determined by them). Needless to say, billing rates for municipalities are much much less than our standard rates but they always pay and the projects take twice as long.
