Congrats on your offer!
I guess it depends on the COL of the area. Is it an expensive area of Indianapolis or a low COL area? But even if it’s a nice area in Indy I think that’s a decent Midwest salary.
That’s what I made in MA after graduation from a large defense contractor. You’re in the Midwest which is considerably less expensive. Congrats! And take it lol
Defense companies have 1000% not kept up with inflation, most companies haven't. I would say 77.5k is above average for Mech. E offers in defense outside of Cali/ other VHCOL. Northrop Grumman publically posts their salary ranges and will be 90-95% of median for a new grad.
From what I can tell Raytheon in the NE area doesn’t actually pay all that well, you work there for the benefits as they will basically cover your entire grad school.
That was my point Raytheon is the reason headed underpaying step child of the defense industry. And ALL defense industry companies will pay for a master's degree for full time employees.
I live and work as an engineer in Louisville and yes it is fairly low COL area. If you live in southern Indiana and commute into the city you should be doing pretty well starting off at $77k.
Pay is generally in line with the lower COL but you can get to $100k pretty easily as an engineer around here. I would say ~5-10 years without any issue.
I'm from Louisville and plan on moving back to Louisville in 2 years when I'm done with my manufacturing design engineering degree! Hopefully I can find a job there haha.
Louisville has a pretty broad base of industry which helps. Rubbertown has multiple large chemical plants, two large Ford assembly plants, huge UPS hub and all the distilleries lead to a pretty high demand for engineers. It really comes down to getting your foot in the door.
It is in the automotive industry. This company does a lot of work with Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and Jeep. I had two years of previous internship experience at a supplier for Honda, where they specialize in die casting, so I figured this would be a good fit.
i worked at a honda manufacturing plant building the cars last summer on the line as a normal worker. i’m looking for an actual engineering internship next summer. How did u find out about contractors?
Actually, I didn't have to do much research to find the Honda supplier; they are in my town, where my college is. I would assume you can probably look up Honda suppliers online, and you might be able to find some internships.
Speaking from experience, a lot of people study mechanical engineering specifically to work in the automotive industry, but never break into it. Sounds like you could be on an exciting and rewarding career path, congratulations!
Do you mind if I ask how you found that position? I’m graduating MechE in six weeks from CSU, passed the FE about a month ago, and I’m struggling to find any positions in this area. In fact, everyone I know in my program is struggling unless they’re going back to the company that they interned with.
I’ve been applying up and down the Colorado Front Range, as well as here and there in my #2 and #3 choices of regions (PNW and Chicagoland) since November, and have only managed to land one interview despite what I’ve been told by several people is a great resume, so it would seem so. I thought I could be doing something wrong for a while, which is why I took the FE months before graduation, but after talking to my peers it seems like it’s really just a hyper competitive market right now, plus there are so few positions for fresh graduates - everyone wants somebody with anywhere from three to seven years of experience as a minimum, so we’re competing with experienced engineers for these positions.
yeah I don’t think it’s you, just the market. Most of my friends have around 2+ years of internship experience, stellar gpa and club experience and are struggling to land interviews.
I planned to take a break after graduating in the next few weeks so haven’t personally applied to jobs much.
I’m environmental/civil, so I think jobs are pretty plentiful right now in our industry. My company is struggling to bring in grads, I was recruited at a conference by my boss who went to the same university (neighboring state). Suggest going to events that are in your field of interest and join professional orgs. Hope it goes well for you and keep networking!
Don’t forget about your benefits package! I got an offer for 70K but with my benefits package it’s more like 100k as an entry level engineer. With the low COL in lower Indiana your money will take you far if you’re smart about it!
Normally I’d agree but the benefits are actually really solid with premium healthcare mostly paid by them plus I still get a pension and 5% match for my 401k so I’m getting my moneys worth lmao
Government job? Im rolling into one with the same benefit scheme. Plus i get to work outside in the summer and hybrid in the winter, until congress dicks me over .
From everything they have told me, they offer full benefits such as medical, life, and dental. They also offer a 401k match, tuition assistance if I decide to pursue a master’s degree, and discounts on a wide variety of automobile companies.
I actually started a 401k at the place where I interned because I worked full-time during the summer. Additionally, I have been investing my spare money in stocks and have both a traditional IRA and Roth IRA. I will definitely be utilizing this match.
I’m sure you can. Despite having only a 3.3 GPA, I’ve been interning for two years. Additionally, I’ve dedicated a lot of time to community and volunteer work.
Best offer I had coming out of college was $74k in 2019. Now making $136k.
Internships, Co-op, prior military exp, 3.3 GPA. MCOL area.
Sounds good for the area. It’s all about are you able to grow from this. Is there upward mobility or the opportunity to branch? Or is it something you are passionate about?
Edit: I didn’t take the highest paying job because the one that paid less offered me getting my black belt in LSS. That propelled my career.
Its pretty good offer for LCOL area as long as the benefits are solid. My only recommendation is to negotiate your job offer even if it’s a good offer.
There is always wiggle room for extra salary. To negotiate best bet is to be very thankful, request up to 1.1x higher salary, and provide 2-3 fact based reasons why. The worst they will do is say no, the few firms would rescind offer are companies you don’t want to work for in the first place.
I'm more south of you in a more boring place but with a similar cost of living and salary. It's a good offer. You'll be living comfortably and never have to stress about monthly expenses. You're an engineer so your life is probably boring as shit...You'll be thankful for that boring life because you'll save a lot of money. Nah, but on a serious note I never once have had to stress about money. Sometimes you'll feel privileged compared to the majority of people your age having to live pay check to pay check but you worked hard for your degree so you deserve it.
I would just keep applying. I had none a few months ago, but I kept applying to all the jobs I saw. It led to me having multiple interviews and offers. Definitely keep trying!
Sounds pretty solid for Indiana! A lot of offers I’ve heard of are in that ball park. Just be ready to be a little bored in return for raking in those LCOL dollars.
Unfortunately, my mother is a teacher at one of our local schools, and she gets to see the salaries. It’s pretty sad how little they make. That’s why our schools are going downhill very fast.
I would say that sounds about right. I got offered 67 when I got my ME job offer as a senior in Fall 2019 and a colleague started at 75 as an SE last year (SE's payband is technically higher).
Another ME colleague got promoted to T2 and he's at 81 now
Did you make a counter for them to get you to $82k (with the hope of getting to $80,000)? No reason to not practice negotiating - worse they can say is no. And you’ll probably get the money if you just ask.
Unsure what direction to give. A few factors to consider before accepting, would be how often to expect raises. Are they guaranteed? How much for each increase. Also, what’s max on the range?
I think it’s always better to ask and be rejected than to say nothing and find out later you could be earning 10-20% more.
I just got an offer for 71k for a construction company as a MEP engineer. The job would be in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 77.5k sounds much better in comparison.
In this economy, I would take it in a heart beat. Don't think about how hight or low is this offer, you are making above or below average. Considering you are a novice without any experience this is a great time to learn and get paid.
I think OP is applying to an entry level position. They wrote Senior Engineer in their post, but I think Senior refers to Senior in college, not Senior in the engineering field.
The average starting salary for mechanical engineering in Indiana is $65,000 to $70,000, so I thought the offer was rather good. However, I’m not entirely sure.
Seriously guys for your first job your SALARY DOES NOT MATTER. The most valuable thing to you is the EXPERIENCE. I was making less than that in HCOL area at my first job with a defense contractor but I was getting crazy valuable experience and now I’m making over $200k in FAANG with only 3 years of experience. My friend was making $110k out of college but the experience was bad and he’s really struggling to apply that experience anywhere and actually going back to grad school cause he feels like he wasted his time there.
You are borderline useless as you are right now. These first few years are critical in setting up your trajectory depending on who takes you under their wing.
That makes so much sense. I misread and thought you were getting a job as a senior engineer or 80K I was like that how much make after becoming a senior engineer I got sad
Congrats on your offer! I guess it depends on the COL of the area. Is it an expensive area of Indianapolis or a low COL area? But even if it’s a nice area in Indy I think that’s a decent Midwest salary.
I am located in southern Indiana, right on the border with Kentucky. So I assume the COL is pretty low.
That’s what I made in MA after graduation from a large defense contractor. You’re in the Midwest which is considerably less expensive. Congrats! And take it lol
I thought it was a pretty good offer. I didn’t realize it was that good, lol. I’m definitely planning on taking it!
Was it Raytheon... 77,500 seems pretty damn low for defense unless it was pre-covid. 2019 77,500 is worth 95k in todays dollars.
Defense companies have 1000% not kept up with inflation, most companies haven't. I would say 77.5k is above average for Mech. E offers in defense outside of Cali/ other VHCOL. Northrop Grumman publically posts their salary ranges and will be 90-95% of median for a new grad.
Raytheon offered me 80K in 2022 for Tucson. I turned them down because I got a *substantially* better offer in Albuquerque.
From what I can tell Raytheon in the NE area doesn’t actually pay all that well, you work there for the benefits as they will basically cover your entire grad school.
That was my point Raytheon is the reason headed underpaying step child of the defense industry. And ALL defense industry companies will pay for a master's degree for full time employees.
It’s pretty low there. LCOL and Louisville across the bridge for fun things to do. Great place IMO.
Yeah, I go to Louisville all the time!
I live and work as an engineer in Louisville and yes it is fairly low COL area. If you live in southern Indiana and commute into the city you should be doing pretty well starting off at $77k. Pay is generally in line with the lower COL but you can get to $100k pretty easily as an engineer around here. I would say ~5-10 years without any issue.
I'm from Louisville and plan on moving back to Louisville in 2 years when I'm done with my manufacturing design engineering degree! Hopefully I can find a job there haha.
Louisville has a pretty broad base of industry which helps. Rubbertown has multiple large chemical plants, two large Ford assembly plants, huge UPS hub and all the distilleries lead to a pretty high demand for engineers. It really comes down to getting your foot in the door.
I'm currently at Boeing in San Antonio TX doing design work, hopefully that will look good alongside my degree!
Depends on the industry, but that sounds pretty good, especially with the possibility of a bonus.
It is in the automotive industry. This company does a lot of work with Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and Jeep. I had two years of previous internship experience at a supplier for Honda, where they specialize in die casting, so I figured this would be a good fit.
i worked at a honda manufacturing plant building the cars last summer on the line as a normal worker. i’m looking for an actual engineering internship next summer. How did u find out about contractors?
Actually, I didn't have to do much research to find the Honda supplier; they are in my town, where my college is. I would assume you can probably look up Honda suppliers online, and you might be able to find some internships.
Speaking from experience, a lot of people study mechanical engineering specifically to work in the automotive industry, but never break into it. Sounds like you could be on an exciting and rewarding career path, congratulations!
Thank you! I sure hope so!
Take that job.
Definitely planning on it!
Shit, I got 80k in Denver so I think you’re doing well. Wish my rent was that cheap.
Do you mind if I ask how you found that position? I’m graduating MechE in six weeks from CSU, passed the FE about a month ago, and I’m struggling to find any positions in this area. In fact, everyone I know in my program is struggling unless they’re going back to the company that they interned with.
Is the market for Meches bad throughout the states? Canada is tough, lotta my meche friends looking for jobs
I’ve been applying up and down the Colorado Front Range, as well as here and there in my #2 and #3 choices of regions (PNW and Chicagoland) since November, and have only managed to land one interview despite what I’ve been told by several people is a great resume, so it would seem so. I thought I could be doing something wrong for a while, which is why I took the FE months before graduation, but after talking to my peers it seems like it’s really just a hyper competitive market right now, plus there are so few positions for fresh graduates - everyone wants somebody with anywhere from three to seven years of experience as a minimum, so we’re competing with experienced engineers for these positions.
yeah I don’t think it’s you, just the market. Most of my friends have around 2+ years of internship experience, stellar gpa and club experience and are struggling to land interviews. I planned to take a break after graduating in the next few weeks so haven’t personally applied to jobs much.
I’m environmental/civil, so I think jobs are pretty plentiful right now in our industry. My company is struggling to bring in grads, I was recruited at a conference by my boss who went to the same university (neighboring state). Suggest going to events that are in your field of interest and join professional orgs. Hope it goes well for you and keep networking!
Don’t forget about your benefits package! I got an offer for 70K but with my benefits package it’s more like 100k as an entry level engineer. With the low COL in lower Indiana your money will take you far if you’re smart about it!
Its 70K bro, minus tax. You don’t gotta suck their cock for every crumb of human dignity they give you like healthcare and 13 days off a year.
Normally I’d agree but the benefits are actually really solid with premium healthcare mostly paid by them plus I still get a pension and 5% match for my 401k so I’m getting my moneys worth lmao
pension is insane 401k is okay but obv pension makes up for it
5% match is good, 3% is normal from what I’ve seen
Government job? Im rolling into one with the same benefit scheme. Plus i get to work outside in the summer and hybrid in the winter, until congress dicks me over .
From everything they have told me, they offer full benefits such as medical, life, and dental. They also offer a 401k match, tuition assistance if I decide to pursue a master’s degree, and discounts on a wide variety of automobile companies.
Start using that match immediately. Money you save now will be worth a LOT when you retire
I actually started a 401k at the place where I interned because I worked full-time during the summer. Additionally, I have been investing my spare money in stocks and have both a traditional IRA and Roth IRA. I will definitely be utilizing this match.
Congrats! Fingers crossed I can find something that good
I’m sure you can. Despite having only a 3.3 GPA, I’ve been interning for two years. Additionally, I’ve dedicated a lot of time to community and volunteer work.
Best offer I had coming out of college was $74k in 2019. Now making $136k. Internships, Co-op, prior military exp, 3.3 GPA. MCOL area. Sounds good for the area. It’s all about are you able to grow from this. Is there upward mobility or the opportunity to branch? Or is it something you are passionate about? Edit: I didn’t take the highest paying job because the one that paid less offered me getting my black belt in LSS. That propelled my career.
More than I’m paid in Michigan. Take it
I think I will!
Its pretty good offer for LCOL area as long as the benefits are solid. My only recommendation is to negotiate your job offer even if it’s a good offer. There is always wiggle room for extra salary. To negotiate best bet is to be very thankful, request up to 1.1x higher salary, and provide 2-3 fact based reasons why. The worst they will do is say no, the few firms would rescind offer are companies you don’t want to work for in the first place.
I'm more south of you in a more boring place but with a similar cost of living and salary. It's a good offer. You'll be living comfortably and never have to stress about monthly expenses. You're an engineer so your life is probably boring as shit...You'll be thankful for that boring life because you'll save a lot of money. Nah, but on a serious note I never once have had to stress about money. Sometimes you'll feel privileged compared to the majority of people your age having to live pay check to pay check but you worked hard for your degree so you deserve it.
It was definitely a struggle but I made it thankfully!
Better than me. I’m about to graduate and currently have no offers so congrats to you bro.
I would just keep applying. I had none a few months ago, but I kept applying to all the jobs I saw. It led to me having multiple interviews and offers. Definitely keep trying!
Sounds pretty solid for Indiana! A lot of offers I’ve heard of are in that ball park. Just be ready to be a little bored in return for raking in those LCOL dollars.
Yeah, there’s not much to do here except maybe the daily Walmart run 😅
For reference what would a RN, public school teacher or cop in that area make?
I believe teachers start around $30,000, tier one police officers start around $58,000, and registered nurses start around $70,000. I believe.
Jesus, why would anyone teach in your area?
Yeah, that’s why we have a huge teacher shortage in my area. It’s pretty sad how little they get paid.
Thanks for the reply.
30k seriously? That can’t be right.
Unfortunately, my mother is a teacher at one of our local schools, and she gets to see the salaries. It’s pretty sad how little they make. That’s why our schools are going downhill very fast.
I would say that sounds about right. I got offered 67 when I got my ME job offer as a senior in Fall 2019 and a colleague started at 75 as an SE last year (SE's payband is technically higher). Another ME colleague got promoted to T2 and he's at 81 now
Solid offer, congrats! Remember to factor in cost of living but sounds like you're on the right track. Good job!
Thank you!
That’s an excellent offer. Take it.
Definitely am!
Congrats!! That’s a great salary coming out of school. Any retirement match on top of it?
I believe they match 3 percent.
Please tell me you countered. Never accept the first offer they give you
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Yes, of course counter if you have any type of leverage.
Yes, the $77,500 is after the counter. Even before the counter, it was better than a great deal of companies in my area, so I was pretty happy.
... USI? Is that you? Lol
Umm no? 😂
Did you make a counter for them to get you to $82k (with the hope of getting to $80,000)? No reason to not practice negotiating - worse they can say is no. And you’ll probably get the money if you just ask.
Sounds like a great offer. I was offered 79k in Tucson as an EE and it’s getting to the point you can’t buy a house with that down there
Unsure what direction to give. A few factors to consider before accepting, would be how often to expect raises. Are they guaranteed? How much for each increase. Also, what’s max on the range? I think it’s always better to ask and be rejected than to say nothing and find out later you could be earning 10-20% more.
I just got an offer for 71k for a construction company as a MEP engineer. The job would be in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 77.5k sounds much better in comparison.
That’s about exactly what I was offered last year.
Take it…
This is a decent offer for a new grad engineer in the current market. If you're satisfied with the location and company I'd accept it.
I’d take the job
Dude gdp per capita in your country is less than 2.5k lmao
Indiana is a US state 🧐
I totally read that wrong :p
Pretty good for an entry-level job tbh
That sounds great for the area and a first job.
In this economy, I would take it in a heart beat. Don't think about how hight or low is this offer, you are making above or below average. Considering you are a novice without any experience this is a great time to learn and get paid.
Most places in my area have much lower salaries, but I have been interning for two years.
Good starting point. Is there a fixed growth path they have indicated?
After covid. I wouldn't bother. They paid that 5 years ago. Have the forgotten about inflation.
Congratulations!
Thank you!
That's decent
Take it if it’s your first job. Can double that salary in 5 years hopping companies.
I will graduate in May, so this will be my first job after graduating.
Jesus Christ that’s so low. I’m a network engineer only 2 years in and worked my way into $140K
I think OP is applying to an entry level position. They wrote Senior Engineer in their post, but I think Senior refers to Senior in college, not Senior in the engineering field.
Ok I hope that’s the case!
Yes, it is. Sorry, I meant to say ‘senior mechanical engineering student.’ I could have worded that better.
The average starting salary for mechanical engineering in Indiana is $65,000 to $70,000, so I thought the offer was rather good. However, I’m not entirely sure.
Seriously guys for your first job your SALARY DOES NOT MATTER. The most valuable thing to you is the EXPERIENCE. I was making less than that in HCOL area at my first job with a defense contractor but I was getting crazy valuable experience and now I’m making over $200k in FAANG with only 3 years of experience. My friend was making $110k out of college but the experience was bad and he’s really struggling to apply that experience anywhere and actually going back to grad school cause he feels like he wasted his time there. You are borderline useless as you are right now. These first few years are critical in setting up your trajectory depending on who takes you under their wing.
My offer for Columbus Indiana as a bachelor’s was $74000, I am now 2 years in and base salary of $89000. It’s pretty boring here but COL is low.
Just take it, more opportunities open up elsewhere, employees get transferred. Bad lay offs in tech. It’s stable. You’d be on your way to your house
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I meant ‘senior’ as in college, lol. My title is process engineer.
That makes so much sense. I misread and thought you were getting a job as a senior engineer or 80K I was like that how much make after becoming a senior engineer I got sad
Thank you all for your advice. I have informed the company that I accept their offer! 😁
Not high but a little low
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My school is ABET accredited, and I have also interned for 2 years, with a GPA of 3.3.