<p>She did forecasting for production runs as well as doing the factory layouts (which machines to use where and when), allocating people to work on machines, determining purchases for the factory, she was heavily involved in inventory management, safety supervisor, and a few other things I’m not remembering.</p>
<p>It’s just tough to pay people well when your sales force moves fewer and fewer units every year. :(</p>
<p>After reviewing the BLS statistics, my thought that the BLS underestimates engineering salaries is reaffirmed. For instance, it says the median mechanical engineering salary is 74k. This seems extremely low and further supports the idea that the BLS does not distinguish engineering from non-engineering jobs very well. ASME came out with a survey last year that seems much more accurate for degreed engineers.</p>
<p>[How</a> Much Are You Worth? - February 2009 Issue](<a href=“ASME News - ASME”>ASME News - ASME)</p>
<p>The difference in methodology between the ASME and BLS surveys is important to consider. The BLS surveys companies who report information while the ASME gets data from engineers who volunteer the data.</p>
<p>The problem with surveying engineers who volunteer the data is those making bank are more likely to be members (and hence respond) and may be more excited to submit their information. Engineers who are not making very much are much less likely to report their salaries and also are less likely to be ASME members.</p>
<p>Straight out of college I worked in a couple positions that didn’t pay well. While my employer probably reported my salary to BLS, I sure didn’t volunteer in salary surveys. Earning less than 95% of other engineers wasn’t something I really wanted to hear.</p>