Structural Engineer Salaries Remain Flat in 2011

Press Release: June 3, 2011 FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (June 3, 2011) – When comparing 2011 with 2010, salaries for full-time practicing structural engineers have remained relatively stable. Last year, the median annual salary increased slightly from the previous year — $85,500, in 2010 versus $84,500, in 2009 — according to Structural Engineer, formerly Structural Engineering & Design. According to ZweigWhite’s 2011 Salary Survey of Central Engineering Firms, the median salary for entry level structural engineers in the Central region of the United States remained exactly the same in 2011 as 2010, at $50,000. The median salary for project engineers was $69,316, roughly a 4 percent increase over the previous year. For project managers the median salary was $85,000, a 6 percent increase, and principals’ median salary increased 5 percent to $130,000. The median salary for department managers decreased about 4 percent to $96,660. Though salaries may not be increasing, firms continue to leverage employee benefits, training, and morale-based methods. Last year’s first-place winner of Best Structural Engineering Firms To Work For, named by Structural Engineering & Design magazine, Forell/Elsesser Engineers, made a number of improvements to its benefits and training programs including adding a health savings account and a high-deductible healthcare plan, 401(k) enhancements, changes to the performance review, compensation programs and instating F/E University program meetings, which include in-house weekly lunchtime technical education programming. To increase company morale, the second-place firm, Barrish Pelham & Associates, Inc., held summertime barbeques, dart tournaments during the lunch hour, annual triathlons, and company holiday events. For more information about structural engineering salaries in other U.S. regions, please visit www.gostructural.com.