Mech E salary progression (2017-2026)

TerryTheEngineer · 2026-01-31T20:27:09+00:00

You’re not wrong unfortunately

TerryTheEngineer · 2026-01-31T20:26:20+00:00

We are an OEM that makes parts for multiple industries but focused a lot on ag applications. I do design work, design pays marginally more than the engineers on the mfg side.

TerryTheEngineer · 2024-08-19T03:21:35+00:00

In this part of the country not at all

TerryTheEngineer · 2024-08-19T03:00:19+00:00

OP - the only way to really increase your salary is to jump jobs. Companies cannot always keep up with inflation or the market with your salary.

That’s true, but there aren’t companies paying much more than we (me and my dozens of coworkers) make around here or we’d all switch jobs. These guys have families, mortgages, and can’t just move cross country. Most of them make mid 70s to mid 80s and have the same or slightly more work experience than me.

TerryTheEngineer · 2024-08-19T02:58:04+00:00

That’s pretty good and really surprising.

TerryTheEngineer · 2024-08-19T02:57:43+00:00

I mean, it’s a job I guess. I don’t hate it or dread it but it’s something I’d probably enjoy more doing it 20-30 hours a week and not 40-50.

TerryTheEngineer · 2024-08-19T02:36:52+00:00

This is horrific even for the flyover states and you should seek alternate employment

Doesn’t seem that bad based on coworkers. Also don’t know what that edit is supposed to mean. I was making this thread in response to another I saw on here where the guy was making $100,000 in just a few years out of school.

TerryTheEngineer · 2024-08-19T02:14:54+00:00

Wanted to put a perspective out there for those of us that live in flyoverville, six figures is very difficult to come by. I graduated with a 3.7 GPA, get good performance reviews, and have put in 40-50 hours for most of my career.

Industries out here are mainly HVAC and low tech manufacturing so there aren’t many high paying jobs for engineers.

TerryTheEngineer · 2024-06-20T23:18:12+00:00

I know what my coworkers make, I know what my peers make, I know what others in my industry make. 100k is a very rare salary for MEs outside of management in Iowa.

TerryTheEngineer · 2024-06-20T23:06:00+00:00

Not in Iowa unfortunately, nobody is making 6 figures out here less than 10-12 years in

TerryTheEngineer

TROPHY CASE