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Mechanical Engineer Salary
Posted on 4/8/13 at 7:57 pm
Posted on 4/8/13 at 7:57 pm
Does anyone know the typical starting salary range of a mechanical engineer working in a chemical plant/refinery? What does the salary look like in 5 years? 10 years?
Thanks.
Thanks.
9
Posted on 4/8/13 at 7:59 pm to ljd4662
Plant I work at range is 50k to 120k. Not as good as you would think
Posted on 4/8/13 at 8:01 pm to guesswho
quote:
120k
I think I could make this my whole life and be just dandy.
Of course, more is always better.
Posted on 4/8/13 at 8:02 pm to Teddy Ruxpin
120k is the very high side. You aren't just an engineer but more in management. Newbies come in at 55k and get 2% raise a year. Better plan on becoming management or eating out less 
Posted on 4/8/13 at 8:52 pm to guesswho
My old man put in 30 yrs at Exxon and was an EE in upper mgmt and probably didn't make much more than $120k/yr.
Posted on 4/8/13 at 9:31 pm to ljd4662
Depending on which plant, anywhere from $65k-100k starting. Obviously the better the grades and internships, the higher you'll be able to get. This should be true for the local area (my experience range).
5 years, you're looking at about 5%/year. Say 80-120k. 10 years a little less growth, but still very good money. Hard to project that far out. Typical petrochemical industry has pretty good benefits, such as 401k, possibly pension, bonuses, stock purchase plans, etc.
5 years, you're looking at about 5%/year. Say 80-120k. 10 years a little less growth, but still very good money. Hard to project that far out. Typical petrochemical industry has pretty good benefits, such as 401k, possibly pension, bonuses, stock purchase plans, etc.
Posted on 4/8/13 at 10:06 pm to LSUtigerME
I dont see any plant paying 100k starting. Engineers are a dime a dozen. I work in the normally highest paying industry so I think I would know.
Posted on 4/9/13 at 8:51 am to ljd4662
I work at an engineering firm and can tell you from my perspective that ME's start at around $30/hr and move up and max out at around $75/hr for pure engineering work, there is a little more money onthe table if you move into a management role. This is in the Baton Rouge area.
Posted on 4/9/13 at 8:57 am to snake2985
Industrial side there is more money, like others said starting $55k-65k, with eventual 6 figure salary with experience
Commercial/consulting side much lower. would say around $40k to start and up to $70-75k with experience. More money potential/more work if you open your own consulting business
I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering and i am working in the commercial/construction side of the industry an with bonuses i made a little more then that last year
Commercial/consulting side much lower. would say around $40k to start and up to $70-75k with experience. More money potential/more work if you open your own consulting business
I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering and i am working in the commercial/construction side of the industry an with bonuses i made a little more then that last year
Posted on 4/9/13 at 9:02 am to tigeraddict
I'm a ChE and I started in the industry about 6 years ago. My starting salary was around 60K at that time.
The place I work for now will probably offer that or a little more for a ME or reliability engineer straight from school.
5 yrs. - 80K
10 yrs. close to 100K, (but 100-120k in 10 years won't be like 100k today)
The place I work for now will probably offer that or a little more for a ME or reliability engineer straight from school.
5 yrs. - 80K
10 yrs. close to 100K, (but 100-120k in 10 years won't be like 100k today)
Posted on 4/9/13 at 10:55 am to ljd4662
People think that these companies just make the fresh engineers rich the day after graduation. I'm glad I changed my major from ME to CM. I don't get a fancy stamp or get to call myself an engineer (can be a draw for getting laid apparently), but I've made 100k+ my first 3 years out of school so far working 45-50 hours a week. But I don't mind traveling and don't want to take the pay cut to go home. So now my bank account is doing pretty damn good but I still don't have a house or much of a social life.
Posted on 4/9/13 at 11:50 am to braindeadboxer
quote:
People think that these companies just make the fresh engineers rich the day after graduation. I'm glad I changed my major from ME to CM. I don't get a fancy stamp or get to call myself an engineer (can be a draw for getting laid apparently), but I've made 100k+ my first 3 years out of school so far working 45-50 hours a week. But I don't mind traveling and don't want to take the pay cut to go home. So now my bank account is doing pretty damn good but I still don't have a house or much of a social life.
The real benefit of being an engineer in O&G field is job security and less wear/tear on the body. The money across the board is exceptional in this field but we are only 4 years removed from massive layoffs and down time. Engineers can put a price on their stamp during the slow times even if its outside of theit intended field.
Posted on 4/9/13 at 12:32 pm to AutoYes_Clown
quote:
we are only 4 years removed from massive layoffs and down time
True, I entered the O&G field right when it began to pick up again. But I know sooner or later there will be another downturn. Which is why I'm saving nearly everything.
Posted on 4/9/13 at 12:47 pm to braindeadboxer
quote:
Does anyone know the typical starting salary range of a mechanical engineer working in a chemical plant/refinery? What does the salary look like in 5 years? 10 years?
Thanks.
I would recommend not planning on staying in one place for more than a few years. You will end up making a lot more money if you move around some during your career.
quote:
True, I entered the O&G field right when it began to pick up again. But I know sooner or later there will be another downturn. Which is why I'm saving nearly everything.
FWIW the O&G company I work for hasn't laid any engineers or technology people off since the 80s. Has seemed pretty stable to me up to this point.
Posted on 4/10/13 at 4:43 pm to bpfergu
dont forget to deduct %30 for taxes so you dont really make alot to bring home. that job is overrated with that ungodly amount taken in taxes and your life expectancy goes down as well. my grandfather retired from exxon and right after got sick for 10 years and all of his organs shut down. all because of the oil industry. so look at the big picture.
Posted on 4/10/13 at 4:47 pm to brbowhunter
quote:
that job is overrated with that ungodly amount taken in taxes
Posted on 4/10/13 at 4:50 pm to ljd4662
Out of school? Depending on the plant: $55K to $75K 10 years later? Maybe $90K to $120K
I'm just over 10 years out of school and I bring in $130K as an EE, but I chose not to work in a refinery.
I'm just over 10 years out of school and I bring in $130K as an EE, but I chose not to work in a refinery.
Posted on 4/10/13 at 6:55 pm to ljd4662
Starting salary of a Mechnical Engineer with a Master's degree (and no prior work experience) at SLB in Houston is around ~$78K. 6 years ago it was ~$66K.
This post was edited on 4/10/13 at 6:56 pm
Posted on 4/10/13 at 6:58 pm to brbowhunter
quote:
dont forget to deduct %30 for taxes so you dont really make alot to bring home. that job is overrated with that ungodly amount taken in taxes and your life expectancy goes down as well. my grandfather retired from exxon and right after got sick for 10 years and all of his organs shut down. all because of the oil industry. so look at the big picture.
Posted on 4/10/13 at 7:02 pm to saderade
quote:
My old man put in 30 yrs at Exxon and was an EE in upper mgmt and probably didn't make much more than $120k/yr.
Whaa? I hardly believe that, not saying you are full of shite, but come on.
Anyone in upper mgt and have been working for 30+ years has got to make at least 200-300k.
I know plant managers make around 250k, so an upper management job has to be close to that.
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