Yes and no. It is completely dependent on the economy, which can make it a shaky profession in bad times. A good friend of ours works in Electrical Engineering for Lucent Technologies in Chicago, who was cutting edge and couldn't be beat 7-8 years ago. Since then, they laid off almost 2/3 of the work force (engineers included) due to the economical slump, and are just now starting to rebuild. Things to think about...

Engineering is an exhausting job....mentally and sometimes physically.
You will definitely earn that wage.
Scotty is right. Times are tough right now in the technology field and economy in general. Quite a few friends I have known have been laid off and many others are looking for a career change.
It is a professional position, so as such, you are an exempt employee. That means no union to protect you and if the company does like or want you, they can lay you off with immediately.....although if it is not for "just cause", they have to pay you severance.
Severance is usually 2 wks pay for every year worked there.
"Just Cause" is for example, incompetence, lying, stealing, screwing up once too often, etc...

Of course there are many perks over and above the basic compensation.
Your own office, with a door you can close....if you're lucky.
Travel and expense account for training and company business inspections, meetings and conferences.
I have been all over North America, the Orient and also Europe over the many years I have been an Engineer.
Make sure you ask about a bonus reward system based on company and well as personal performance. 20% of my compensation is based on it.

You are also expected to work how ever many hours it takes to get the job done in the unrealistic time expectations of your Directors. No overtime pay.
Boss......What do you mean you don't have it finished yet ??!!!
Boss.....Did you go home last night ???!!!!
Engineer.....Yes.
Boss.....Then you had time!!!!!

Yes it is. i've been at it for 17 years. I don't make 40 grand.. or 60 .. or 70 ... or 80

be good at what you do ... do it with passion and you will be rewarded.
The economy does suck .. but I've NEVER been laid off. I have been the last guy standing ... but never laid off.

JLathem

That'* not only true for engineers. That'* the case for most any white collar professional.

In the US severance is NOT required. There are only three benefits required by law. The rest are offered in order to stay competitive in the markets. The three required are: Social Security, Unemployment Compensation, and Workers’ Compensation.

The engineer market is not hot everywhere. As I posted above, it is only dependant on the economy, but it'* also largely dependant on the geographic location. Automotive engineers are needed in the southern-bound areas. While in the north, it'* not uncommon to find many layed off engineers.

The market is affected by many factors and not just the economy!

That'* because you are probably working for nothing.
Working for 17 years and you drive a '92. :?
It must be a very well maintained beauty.

I've been at it for 26 years now and like you, have never been laid off.....and I am the last guy standing in my factory office.

Actually no ... I make about six figures if you need to know. That was my point.
As for the '92 its a toy. I actually own 7 cars ALL PAID FOR including my 2003 Explorer Sport Trac. The Bonneville is just the one I play with. I tinker in my garage
for stress relief.

The industry is not very kind to older engineers. I want to be able to stop one day
and go fishing ....so I pay cash for my cars. Some of the guys I work with drive 50 , 60 , or even 70 thousand dollar cars. I put that money away.

Don't be so quick to judge ... Sam Walton drove an old Chevy pickup with 300 thousand on it. It'* just a matter of how you want to allocate your money. I prefer to keep mine.


JLathem

Yep, and he gave 90% of his multi-million dollar income to charity. That'* a man who had his priorities straight.

Guess what!!

What :?:

....you got early early retired ?