Engineering pay higher in big cities?

Question

I have heard many people say that the payment for engineers depends alot on where you work. I am planning on working in Houston, Texas, so do ya'll think the pay would probably be good there? Thanks!

Answer 1

I know that many engineering firms are based in Houston, so there's every reason to believe that the pay there might be better than the average city - not because Houston is a city, but because of the competition that might exist there.

My advice for you is: Work for a firm that is in fierce competition with its contemporaries. That way, you can be assured of, at least, an above-average pay.

Also,...goodluck.

Answer 2

Funny you mention Houston. One of the guys I graduated with works for Bechtel there.

We both interviewed at the company I work for now (but in different areas in the company). Both of our offers were within $1000 of each other.

He wasn't satisfied with his offer and asked for more. My company offered him something like 3k more.

He didn't take the offer and instead took an offer from Bechtel in Houston for $10k more than what I was making.

The bad part for him was that the cost of living in Houston is a lot higher than where I'm at now. After comparing notes with him we pretty much break even.

I think I have it a little better though. I have more land, my neighbors live a lot farther away and I can shoot targets in my back yard anytime I want.

He has a patch of grass in front of his apartment, his neighbors are just next door and forget about the last one!

He does have a lot more clubs to go to if your into that.

Just remember though that money isn't everything and that you've got to take everything into account as to how much you really make. Cost of living plays a large part of this.

Answer 3

Houston is a very very good place for engineers. There is loads of opportunity. Especially in the oil and chemical industry. Probably one of the single best cities for engineers.

Pay is commensurate with experience but certainly the pay will be very competitive.