<p>@OminousRun I knew that this would happen over some span of time (I just didn’t know how long). But of course there is going to be a limit, unless you’re a CEO. I just thought it was interesting.</p>
<p>But as others have mentioned, it does seem like anyone would have the advantage with the MS because of easier promotions.</p>
<p>I’m still considering getting an MS in CS, not for purely for financial gain but to get more experience in a certain field. I have yet to choose what CS subject I’d like to go into, but hopefully it’ll come to me after taking some electives. I’ll only pursue if I truly believe that it’ll be time well spent for me. But if I get a job offer during my senior year, I will probably take it. That’s how “on the fence” I am right now. I’m a junior so I have some time to consider.</p>
<p>Not to try and take this thread in a different direction, but is there any difference between MS and M.Eng holders in terms of salary, advancement potential, ect? From my understanding, MS is more of a research-oriented degree and M.Eng is a terminal, professional degree. But outside of academia, in actual industry, is there much difference?</p>
<p>I would imagine it really only would impact R&D type positions, but I honestly don’t know.</p>
<p>It USED to be more “cut and dry” as far as the differences between M.S. and M.Eng degrees across all schools, but with the explosion of part-time and online programs, schools are now naming the degree however they feel.</p>
<p>I have M.S. in Engineering which had no thesis and no project nor paper. It was structured like a M.Eng but was awarded as a M.S. The M.Eng does not have to be terminal as plenty of folks go on to PhD programs with a M.Eng.</p>
<p>As far as “actual industry”, I would think it may depend on the exact engineering industry, employer and employer’s focus but FROM MY experience (defense & federal government contracting), a M.S. and a M.Eng are the same thing.</p>
<p>As I mentioned in another thread, the “lack of caring” (from DC-area employers) about whether you did research for your graduate degree led me to basically to the mindset…“how can I get a masters in engineering in the easiest way”…which led me to looking ONLY AT 30-credit, coursework-only options.</p>
<p>I had a coworker that wanted to get promoted to consulting engineer and the process required a graduate degree. He went to a local college at night that had an incredibly easy MSCS program (I took two courses there and gagged over how easy they were) and got his degree and his promotion.</p>
<p>You should get much more exposure to research in an MSCS program which may give you opportunities that someone without a research background could get.</p>
<p>One thing that I noticed recently is that we’ve upped our degree requirements for certain positions. We require a BSCS with a few years of experience or an MSCS. We used to just require a BSCS. Note that these positions are for consulting and customer service.</p>
<p>We had a software engineer BS+MS and he got his MBA from a decent school on the company dime and then went to work in consulting making more money but also traveling a lot more after his wife delivered. He’s home on the weekends and away during the week.</p>
<p>You have to determine what’s important to you and your current life situation can be a big factor.</p>
<p>I would not do a MS for the money. Your salary and lifetime earnings will be far more dependent on what employer you work for, how much overtime you work, whether you are in a union, etc, etc. Whether you have a MS or BS will not have a huge impact on it.</p>
<p>It can be beneficial for other reasons, but I think not as much for income.</p>
<p>@engineer4life, you know engineers who get paid overtime and are in unions? Where?</p>
<p>The fastest way to get a raise is to jump companies. </p>
<p>An MBA usually opens up more opportunities than a MS which funnels you into the expert in one narrow area. The work might be more interesting so you have to balance that out against your own goals.</p>
<p>I’m sure there’s someone somewhere, but engineers are generally not in unions. Instead, engineers tend to be the ones that have to work the front lines as fill-ins during strikes. </p>
<p>Also, engineers are consider an exempt position, so if a company pays them overtime, it’s at the company’s discretion and not required. However, most companies give comp time or overtime when working after hours (a few extra hours per week is expected, but if you’re called out to the plant at 3am on Sunday, you’ll probably get Monday off or an extra vacation day).</p>
<p>Yes, I am paid for the overtime that I work, and I am also in a union. I will not disclose my employer here, but if you send me a pm I’ll tell you. Or you can google unionized engineers and you’ll figure it out pretty quickly.</p>
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<p>An extra vacation day doesn’t help your pay. But if you get paid to work at 3am on Sunday, and get a shift differential for coming in at 3am, then you get paid handsomely.</p>
<p>The other option to making lots of money is to work as a contractor. They get paid more money, typically get paid time and a half for overtime, and work long weeks because they are usually hired for projects that need a lot of staff for a short length of time. Once the project is over, they are kicked out the door and have to find another project, but a skilled contractor can spend a lifetime going from project to project. They make huge sums of money. The downside is no job security, and they have to pay for their own benefits. (i.e., $250k per year is not unreasonable as a contractor)</p>
<p>More generally, there are many choices beyond “should I get a MS” that influences how much your lifetime earnings will be.</p>