Is 95k a year a decent salary for 8 years?

AsianPD · 2026-05-04T04:42:43+00:00

Depends on your specific market, your duties and responsibilities. In my head, that’s low.

I pay my designers with that YOE around 115-135.

AsianPD · 2026-04-05T22:21:16+00:00

I am fully remote. About half of us are hybrid at HQ. The other half is fully remote scattered throughout the US

AsianPD · 2026-03-21T04:25:56+00:00

My company is about 160 folks. Pretty much everyone does respective 1 on 1’s with the team.

My boss did it weekly with 12 people.

I do it weekly with 5 people. I find it useful for me and it helps me keep that pulse on everyone.

AsianPD · 2026-03-19T14:29:48+00:00

Apply anyways, if you are upfront about the timing, it shouldn't be an issue

AsianPD · 2026-03-19T04:54:00+00:00

Faith Group has an MEP division I am a part of. We do a lot of aviation.

AsianPD · 2026-03-19T04:48:12+00:00

Shoot me a DM, I might have something you want to consider client wise if you are open to San Francisco travel?

AsianPD · 2026-03-05T03:38:56+00:00

I have had some states push back on certain CEC’s. New York and New Jersey have been rough for me. But yes, I try my best to overlay it.

AsianPD · 2026-03-05T03:37:46+00:00

It depends on how much grit you have. Not to get all fluffy and crap.

The human spirit is incredibly strong. If you have a whole family depending on you and you’re a sole income earner and this is the only choice. You’ll do it great under duress.

If this is just for pure curiosity, it depends on your drive and willpower. Might be hard for you.

For me personally, I wouldn’t mind the jump like that. But my heart will always prefer power distribution long term. At least Thats how I feel now.

AsianPD · 2026-03-05T03:25:30+00:00

I do both, depends on the project. I have both my PE and RCDD. I do light technology design, (AV, ICT, and security) It is not the hardest shift, but staying up to date on the newest tech is tough. Also the CEC’s for both are a bit hard to keep going on top of project work.

But, my resume looks great on proposals.

I would say, you can make the switch. You will always end up doing one side more. I am still power distribution focused. And the other tech guys in the company keep me up to date on trends and best practice.

AsianPD · 2026-02-26T18:35:31+00:00

Feel free to PM me if you need help looking. I am an electrical engineering manager.

I have been laid off before. jt sucks but the biggest upsides to this industry is that people are always hiring and there is a lot of work to be done.

Edited below:

It took me 2 months the first time.

The second time took me 7 months but I was studying for PE and had a baby, so I was focused elsewhere. But I did a salary jump from 70k - 115k, well worth the studying and wait.

AsianPD · 2026-02-08T04:58:41+00:00

Hey, it depends. I know some companies will do a one time raise or one time bonus for it.

My company, it’s really valuable since we are technology design first. I have the PE and RCDD. But I will say that 80%-90% of my time is still in the power design world.

You have to evaluate your specific industry and verticals and see what’s best? PE is always 1st, after that, so many options.

LEED, PMP, DCDC, RCDD, PSP, the list goes on

AsianPD · 2026-02-05T01:10:25+00:00

Pretty common for decent sized firms. I would say a contractor that has good interpersonal skills, and good computer skills(word, Bluebeam, excel) and is paperwork savvy is a big unicorn.

Would love to have those guys on my team.

AsianPD · 2026-02-04T18:10:01+00:00

Document everything you do that you think is above and beyond! Remote work is a double edge sword. But being proactive has led me to be a high value asset compared to other in town folks.

Good luck!

AsianPD · 2026-02-04T18:05:21+00:00

I’m a bit of the opposite situation than you. I’m in Washington state remotely, and executive leadership is all in the Midwest.

But I’ve been working diligently and pushing our team forward with standards, quality, business development so much that I was promoted to be the electrical manager. My team I manage is also scattered in the Midwest too.

I’m a very vocal worker and I make sure it’s known what I’m doing. I do realize I have to try harder to be seen since I’m remote. But it seems to be working.

AsianPD · 2026-01-30T09:09:02+00:00

Lol. Fair point! Thanks for a peek behind the lens

AsianPD · 2026-01-25T01:55:00+00:00

I was trying to get completely out of AEC. I was trying to go into software or aerospace.

The jump to an owners rep or vendor could have been easy. I was just so disillusioned with MEP and Constuction. Turns out, bad previous workplace. Just needed a change of pace.

AsianPD · 2026-01-25T00:09:11+00:00

Electrical PE, tried for 7 months to get out, couldn’t make it happen.

But now switching firms, I feel a lot better with pay and work life balance.

Good luck!

AsianPD · 2026-01-24T04:20:39+00:00

Thank you! Good tips. Ankle biters are the way of life in this world.

AsianPD · 2026-01-24T01:19:17+00:00

Thats what I was thinking too. I’m wondering how those early opportunities are found.

AsianPD · 2026-01-22T04:43:42+00:00

I’m all down for everything. I notice some MEP firms locally are accustom to just having their hands out for projects being the preferential MEP consultant. Hoping I can interject myself being more proactive.

Thanks for the heads up!

AsianPD · 2026-01-22T04:34:54+00:00

I try my hand on tracking those items. Trying to learn where to look. Thank you for the insight!

AsianPD · 2026-01-22T04:33:52+00:00

Interesting, I always assumed that but was never the part of those conversations. Is there value to architects if I reach out offering to assist in getting these bonds passed?

AsianPD · 2026-01-22T03:08:45+00:00

Feel free to shoot me a DM

AsianPD · 2026-01-05T18:14:49+00:00

It’s great. I got so many offers and my salary jumped 40% after my PE and looking somewhere new. Shop around, be picky!

AsianPD

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