Part of putting together a great team of architects or engineers is offering competitive ranges for both architect salaries and engineer salaries. Both architects and engineers must pursue higher education and certification. This instantly makes the demands for a competitive salary from prospective employees much higher. So how does a firm or company know which salary levels to bring to the bargaining table during interviews? Using online salary guidelines for engineers and architects is the most beneficial way to bargain a salary.
Salary guidelines from reputable sources give companies an idea of salaries for engineers and architects. While there are other considerations factored into salary levels, such as cost of living, salary guidelines give a company a jumping off point to start negotiations. Using salary guidelines for architects and engineers also helps HR management figure out if a requested salary is overblown. When researching salary guidelines, consider checking the following:
1. Online salary surveys for engineers and architects
2. Online salary calculators that use location when determining salaries.
3. Governmental websites that list job descriptions and salary levels for different careers.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Look at architect and engineer salary info on online databases
There are numerous databases available for HR professionals. Some require input on location, job titles, schooling and company size, while others give information input by other professionals.
I recommend: EngineerSalary.com lets you input information and then gives detailed salary information sent by email.
Arkitectum.com has an ongoing salary poll at their website. You can look up architect salary info of other architects based on location, education level and position.
Use salary charts to research an architects pay or an engineers pay
Salary charts use information gathered online and in surveys to create informative charts that show base pay, median pay, bonuses and levels of lowest to highest pay. Some salary surveys report findings in a technical report, without the use of charts or graphs.
I recommend: The
Internet Engineering Center has various charts for engineers based on the type of engineering performed and education.
Hanley Wood offers a report about the salaries of architects through their online magazine, Architect Online.
Check out official sites that list the salaries for architects and engineers
Certain governmental agencies and workforce organizations keep tabs on all different careers. They then provide information about education, qualifications, salary and job growth to prospective employees. By checking the updated edition of these reports each year, your company has the most current information on salaries.
I recommend: The
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers detailed annual information for the salaries of architects and engineers. This website has a search function that brings up a variety of information for these career fields.
PayScale offers updated information on salaries for engineers and architects.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Some relocation websites offer salary calculators. If you have an out-of-state applicant, you can plug the information into the calculator for their state and see the average salary for that state as compared to your state. This can help you when negotiating salary.