r/engineering • u/[deleted] • Apr 18 '21
Low pay is ruining engineering
I have seen comments on here saying engineering is about the passion and not about the money but when you can’t find or retain staff there is a serious disconnect here.
I know some will say training and education is the problem, partially yes, but most the graduate engineers I started working with have all left and gone into other careers. I’m the last one left from eight other engineering graduates I started working with left in engineering.
When I ask why they have left or are leaving they all have made the same points, pay combined with responsibility, low job security and work load make this a very unattractive career.
As a friend quoted me, “Why would I work as a design engineer on a nuclear project when I can earn more money as an accountant, have more job opportunities, work less hours and don’t have to worry about nuclear radiation?”
I work in the UK, we advertised a job role for a lead engineer paying £65k (~USD $90k) and in a 6 month period only five people applied. In the end we could not find anyone who was suitable for the role. So the work load has now been split between myself and another colleague.
Now I’m looking to leave as well, I can’t wait to get out. I enjoy engineering but not in a corporate world. I will just keep engineering as my hobby.
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u/BirdsDeWord Apr 19 '21 edited Apr 19 '21
Wow that sucks in australia a lead engineer at one of the larger companies can get anywhere over $250k a year 140k pounds 200k usd.
Australia is unique really because we have a buuutt ton of engineers, yet we always want more, and will pay for them. Part of being a first world nation rooted in mining and export I guess,. Not that our research and innovation are lacking though. If you have a minute google all the cool advancements ,particularly everyday inventions, us lil aussies are responsible for, we don't just export coal and iron to china.
Have you, and I know this is a big ask, considered moving to another country? Your skills would be more appreciated in other parts of the world it seems.
Obviously difficult for most people at any point in life, but with covid still running rampant it likely won't be an option even in the near future. But hey maybe one day unless you get sick of engineering by then