Switching jobs can sometimes seem foolhardy and uncertain. A significant reason why employees stick with their current position is the concern about earning less money. However, the last two years opened many doors for professionals in STEM to reconsider their career paths in what was known as the Great Resignation. During this time, it was reported that 70% of Engineers were ready for a change, and they put themselves back on the job market. The biggest reason for this? Engineering salaries were higher elsewhere.
The most common way to advance your career is through exploring the job market.
For industries like Consulting Engineering, the demand for talent is high. However, many Engineers are experiencing a wage freeze that conflicts with a rising cost of living. If you feel like negotiations are off the table at your current job – it’s time to start looking for new job offers.
Where Engineering Salaries Show Growth
Engineering firms can only generate income in areas experiencing considerable growth. Big urban centers on the coasts were once seen as the only way to gain a career in Engineering. However, the pandemic has shifted the change to other parts of the United States that do not have the same competition as large coastal cities like the Bay Area or New York.
Looking for work as an Engineer means striking where the iron is hot. There are certain states Matchfield has found that has shown promising growth in Engineering salaries:
| State | Growth (%) |
| Kansas | 31%+ |
| Iowa | 30%+ |
| Alabama | 26%+ |
| Connecticut | 24%+ |
| Delaware | 23%+ |
Conversely, the states that are showing a decline in Engineering salaries are:
| State | Growth (%) |
| Minnesota | -32% |
| Maryland | -19% |
| Pennsylvania | -17% |
| Wisconsin | -16% |
| South Carolina | -15% |
| Oregon | -12% |
Relocating to different parts of the United States for jobs is a big ask that can pay off. Looking around areas with booming growth and low competition is beneficial if you want a salary increase in your next job. Additionally, more Engineering jobs around the States are beginning to offer remote working opportunities or relocation assistance.
How to Attract High-Salaried Jobs
At the beginning stages of job hunting, you want to highlight why you are the most viable candidate who deserves the position and a higher salary. It’s essential to begin taking stock of your previous work experience. Before jumping into job applications, gather accomplishments in your current or previous roles.
Engineering employers are more likely to hire based on technical skills, hard skills, and experience than education alone. Many employers will put Engineering candidates through technical interviews. Technical interviews can be more precise and analytical than behavioral interviews.
Targeting each of your resumes with keywords listed in the job descriptions will give you significant advantages in getting interviews with competitive positions. Breaking down your experience further in interviews and providing concrete examples is essential. Your main goal as an Engineering candidate is to show you have the hard skills and knowledge needed to take on large-scale projects. Doing this can open doors for salaries higher than you could’ve hoped for.
How to Negotiate
Let’s say you have found a perfect new company. They are even offering to negotiate salaries that could go beyond what you’re currently making. An average range for a job increase when switching to a new company is 5-10%. Consider not limiting yourself to these figures. When you have put the work into getting a new job, you should also put in the work in negotiating a higher salary.
When switching jobs for highly skilled positions like Engineering, you should aim for at least a 10-20% pay increase. It is better to start higher than expected because you’re unlikely to get the total amount you negotiated for. But meeting in the middle range can ensure you make more than your current salary. Right now, the market still favors workers. Use that as leverage to get a better salary negotiation.
“When switching jobs for highly skilled positions like Engineering, you should aim for at least a 10-20% pay increase”
If a new job is not offering a salary higher than your current one, then consider sticking it out a bit with your current job. Job switching aims to get ahead in opportunities and the salary you deserve.
Salary is One Component
Salary should be a pivotal factor in working for a new company, but other aspects are still to consider. A company’s culture, benefits, partnerships, commissions, guaranteed bonuses, and growth are also critical factors. When you advance to a new career move, your salary should not be the only thing that grows. Your total compensation as a working professional should advance as well.
While a high salary is a core reason for job switching, other facets like benefits should be considered.
Matchfield Opens Doors to New Prospects
Job hunting is not easy. Many candidates report job hunting feeling like a full-time job in itself. That’s why Matchfield makes it easier for professionals like you to access high-paying positions.
We work with Engineering firms around the States to find well-suited candidates for their open positions. If you join our database as an Engineer, we keep your identity private until a job that closely matches your skillset and experience becomes available.
With Matchfield, you get access to job opportunities that feel frictionless. Create a profile with Matchfield for free to gain access to Consulting Engineer jobs ready for you.