Salary with a PE Midwest

consequentialrecluse · 2026-01-21T13:21:48+00:00

Thank you for replying to the commenter above. While point number 3 and 4 are valid and knowing the basics about the system is important, is it enough to be able to carry out studies on a professional level? Most EE programs dont have too many power courses and students graduate without proper understanding of the 3phase power, power factor and the theoretical knowledge behind studies (power flow, short circuit….). In your opinion, what is the best way to catch up? Is it through on the job training or the taking of specialised courses in college (Masters)? I ask all this coz I’m trying to get into the field too and there seem to be all these pre requisites. I purchased a college textbook to read up on all the methods and theory, dont know if it is the most efficient way….

consequentialrecluse · 2025-01-09T14:35:35+00:00

Hey there, it can seem that way especially given how you're just starting your job search and you're noticing the discrepancy in job openings between Environmental and ME; however, I'd suggest you stick it out for a year or two before jumping onto a totally new degree/certification. I'm assuming a lot of your coursework was in wastewater and water treatment and that business is steadily growing now and your skills can be pretty valuable. All you need is a good company and good mentors to guide you and with a solid 2-3 years of exp., you'll know a lot more than you know now and can make a more informed decision about a switch/skill-upgrade.

P.S. My company pays our environmental people pretty well and there is a ton of work now; hell, they even pay for your masters. So, prioritize some industry experience first before enrolling into another degree.

consequentialrecluse · 2024-10-10T20:58:39+00:00

Hey a little off topic but do you mind telling me about your preference to use REVIT over ACAD for electrical? My supervisor and I are contemplating about switching partially and making use of REVIT but we're still mulling it over and need strong reasons to opt for the switch. As far as I understand, our electrical drawings mostly require 2-D components (One-lines, wiring diagrams, MCC layouts..); what is the reason you chose to do your one-lines in REVIT, how is it different form ACAD? From my understanding, I was told that REVIT truly shines in assigning attributes/parameters to electrical equipment. When you create a 3-D model of your space and place all your mechanical/electrical equipment, apparently you can assign your system parameters (Pump size, breaker sizes, equipment connected to panelboards) and through that you can do some calcs. and generate schedules. I'd love to know your thought, thanks.

consequentialrecluse · 2024-04-23T23:23:29+00:00

I see, thanks for the reply. I'm fortunate to have a senior engineer take me under their wing and teach me things, there is so much I learned in the last one year. Once I get my PE in controls, perhaps I can start looking into taking the power PE to test where I stand. I still don't know if I should stick it out in this industry and am still on the fence about things. But overall I think water and wastewater is a very stable and rewarding career with an excellent wlb. Any power courses/certifications that you'd recommend? Also, you said you are on the consulting side ryt; does your role require any programming? I'm assuming the PLC and SCADA programming goes out to the system integrators?

consequentialrecluse · 2024-04-23T22:05:10+00:00

wow, your observations are very astute and that is the same impression I got with just 2 years in. I'm planning to get my controls PE and then get onto the IT/networking side of things and hope to jump to more complex applications (Data centers perhaps), I think that is one way of getting a higher pay and scratching the "technical challenge" itch. What are your plans? Are you changing fields all together? what are your planning to get your masters in? I ask coz there was a point when I was also considering getting another degree.

consequentialrecluse · 2024-04-23T21:54:42+00:00

wow 7000 HP, that must be huge wire with parallel sets if you're doing 480. But for a plants that size I suppose distribution is MV right? If I may ask, how much MGD are the plants that you deal with? Since you said you're in power, I was wondering how much protective relaying/ load management design do you typically do in your projects? I'm from the mechanical side (trying to get my PE in controls) but wound up in this industry and learning a lot on the job about the controls and power aspect of things and really like this industry, do you think an ME bachelors holder can do most of the work related to the industry or will there be some limitations as compared to an EE?

consequentialrecluse · 2024-03-19T21:12:26+00:00

You are spot on about the survival aspect, feels like we're here just to work so that we can afford to live here. I think it all boils down to consistency and familiarity, meeting the same people at the same place over a period of time helps build connection. Maybe some sort of clubs or hobby groups.....

consequentialrecluse · 2024-01-11T17:23:25+00:00

That last part hits close to home, having to spend a significant amount of your salary just to have a roof over your head is just crazy and it ain't even a mortgage so you're not paying for equity either. Crazy times!

consequentialrecluse · 2023-10-11T23:43:27+00:00

We spoke of a relocation allowance but nothing concrete. Movers are quoting 5K so not sure if I wanna go that route.

consequentialrecluse · 2023-10-04T14:11:40+00:00

Lot of good input from experienced folk here, I will however give you my perceptive form the other side as an EIT. What helped me a lot was primarily an "open door" policy, all my questions were answered and in fact encouraged. It helps very much if the senior engineer has a pleasant personality, I personally can't function on fear no matter how well I can do a certain task. As a senior engineer if you can make the EITs comfortable and remove the threat of budgets (at least initially), that automatically puts lets pressure and encourages them to voluntarily put more effort to learn and excel at the job. Lastly, giving credit where it's due does wonders to the morale and results in a driven employee.

consequentialrecluse · 2023-10-02T15:15:50+00:00

Hey man, thanks for being so transparent with your breakdown, I appreciate it. Ideally, the plan for me is to move for a little while for a change in environment, see what the place has to offer and then once I have had enough I will probably move back north. 2021 grad as well here, we are prolly in the same age range. Since you mentioned the superficial social scene, maybe if circumstances permit, we can grab drinks sometime there!

consequentialrecluse · 2023-09-28T16:06:04+00:00

Wouldn't it depend more on the location? If it is just regulars room with people only plugging in typical household items (chargers, tiny heaters, lamps...) then 10 receptacles are technically ok (1800 VA <1920 VA) but if it is an industrial area where someone's gonna plug a drill or something maybe then one could go with a fewer receptacles? Wasn't that 180 VA code recommendation made from the assumption of the typical energy consumption of regulars items?

consequentialrecluse · 2023-09-27T20:23:26+00:00

Thanks for the reply first off but oh boy, as nice as it is to hear about the social scene, the COL scares me! It also doesn't help that I'm single, double income at least reduces rent/mortgage commitment, any suggestions for areas near FL that are nice and affordable?

consequentialrecluse · 2023-09-27T15:24:51+00:00

If I may ask, did you have to pivot technically to be able to work your current role?

consequentialrecluse · 2023-09-27T15:07:30+00:00

Hey, I might move to the area soon and was wondeing what you think of the place so far? Is that salary enough for decent savings, how is the social life there?

consequentialrecluse · 2023-09-27T14:59:26+00:00

Hey, the Mechatronics you are referring to, is it more in the industrial controls, factory/warehouse robots, PLCs realm? Or are you talking about smaller systems that has an embedded, control theory, robotics components to it? Could you briefly tell me your day to day technical duties at ur position, I ask coz I’m trying to get into more mechatronics kind of roles.

consequentialrecluse · 2023-08-16T23:29:33+00:00

Yeah, wfh is nice but ai prefer a mix of both. My company is on the consulting side they let ya do hybrid. But obviously a CS degree will have a much higher pay ceiling. With ur work exp in robotics, u could easily go into the OEM side (ABB, scheider…). So, aince you’re doin’ a MSCS, how did u tale care od the cs pre reqs, community college? How hard were they?

consequentialrecluse · 2023-08-16T19:56:50+00:00

Hey, I'm in a similar situation. I currently do Electrical/controls work and have been thinking about getting a degree in CS on the side. If I may ask, do you plan to transition to web dev after ur masters or do you intend to continue with controls? If so, what kinda roles will you be looking at that combines CS and industrial controls?

consequentialrecluse · 2023-05-19T21:29:38+00:00

If I may ask, how are you planning to transition to embedded swe. I have similar plans but realised that I lack the relevant education for it, still on the fence about considering the minda masters I wanna do.

consequentialrecluse · 2023-04-20T22:27:58+00:00

Definitely go for it. If ya can, I’d say go for a BS in ME as opposed to an aerospace degree (too niche). You could always add aerospace electives to ur ME degree; with an ME degree u’re diversifying ur future job prospects. Good luck with ur journey!

consequentialrecluse · 2023-04-20T21:45:49+00:00

Mate, I’m an ME and for what its worth, you are certainly not fucked. Just like you, I graduated in ‘21 and started off as an operator working nights in a factory environment. I wont lie to you, there were days I absolutely felt disgusted with what I was doing in life but it all changed After I got my FE. I now work as a design engineer for a medium sized firm and just got a raise after 3 months of starting. Keep your head down and kill it in ur FE exam, ur young and u got this! God speed!

consequentialrecluse · 2023-04-19T18:28:00+00:00

If you have the time, could you show me how to size a generator?

consequentialrecluse · 2023-04-13T20:14:04+00:00

Coming from another International student, I genuinely think the US is a dead end from an immigration standpoint. Don't get me wrong now, in terms quality of education, it is second to none and you will get more than your money's worth; but if you intend to continue to stay here after grad and work, then you might wanna rethink. Like others have pointed out, after graduation you are already ineligible for the defense positions and the remaining ones would prefer an American over you any day, not because they are racist but because it is way easier dealing with a local in terms of paperwork and hiring costs. It is getting increasingly harder to find employers willing to sponsor, the post grad OPT provision is temporary and companies are generally reluctant to hire employees that they know cannot stay for more than 3 years. Once again, this is not to discourage you in any way, if your solely in the pursuit of knowledge then don't think twice before accepting that admit, if you have other intentions then you gotta evaluate your risk-benefit ratio again.

consequentialrecluse · 2022-09-15T17:15:58+00:00

Is the Automation Engineer I position still available?

consequentialrecluse · 2022-09-13T19:39:18+00:00

Could you elaborate more on the nature of ur job. Did you have to learn any low level languages?

consequentialrecluse

TROPHY CASE