<p>Do engineering managers really make as much as salary.com says:</p>
<p>that seems like quite a bit, especially considering that, at least from what I heard, engineers don't make much. Does anyone know though how difficult/how many years it takes after an MBA to become a manager of an engineering firm. Since it varies by size, about how long would it take in small, medium and large each?</p>
<p>Its not something you usually get right after school. It takes years of experience in whatever field your working in.</p>
<p>Yeah, engineering managers get a lot. According to Forbes they get $104,000 a year, and around $150,000 in places like San Jose.</p>
<p>It does take a good amount of experience to get to that position though, but an MBA would help grease the wheels.</p>
<p>Seems accurate, as ratroll mentioned - big metropolis's like NYC will be even higher.</p>
<p>Well I'd like to get an MBA, so how long would it take then? Also, are managers stuck at 105k, because ideally, although I'd be very happy with 115-120k, I'd like to make around 150k, so is there any chance of that happening?</p>
<p>Sure, if $150k is the <em>average</em> in a big city like San Jose, then half of those engineering managers make more then that. I would recommend going into the high tech industry though. I doubt a civil engineering manager will see figures close to that.</p>
<p>well I'd like to go double E, I'm not sure if thats "high tech" but yeah. So basically can I assume from that post that my "happy place" of around 120k is fully attainable, and that my dream of making 150k or maybe 200k if I'm pretty lucky is again fully attainable right?</p>
<p>Also, can anyone still answer the question about how long it takes normally to get promoted (btw, just for laughs, lets assume that I want to work in Cali, because if you can't tell already, that would be my dream home, except in LA or something where the cost of living is extraordinary though, although most other cities work besides LA and San Fran)?</p>
<p>bump..................</p>
<p>by hi-tech, do you mean EE, compE, and cse?</p>
<p>thats what I'm asking</p>
<p>But can anyone answer my question about how long it takes?</p>
<p>Also, are there different levels of management, and if so, what are they?</p>
<p>You do not automatically get promoted to a manager position easily. It takes years of persistent hard work.</p>
<p>The amount of time probably varies a lot from company to company, which is why you're not getting much of an answer. A large part of the decision is merit-based, so it's tough to say. It would depend on the size of the company as well. If it's rapidly expanding, you'd have a much easier time moving up the ladder than a stagnant company. There are just so many factors involved that it's hard to say when you move up the chain.</p>
<p>is 5 years considered "years of persistent hard work" (that quote wasn't meant to be mocking btw)</p>
<p>Honestly, I don't think that getting an MBA is going to make the road from engineer to engineering manager any shorter(if that's what you're hoping for). It's experience that makes the difference. Obviously I'm not in the field but my family is and from what I've seen of the higher level project managers most of them are in their 40's or older. My father started as an engineer and is now more in the corporate part of an engineering company and makes well over that $150K mark that you want but he's been in the industry for like 30 years.</p>
<p>yeah ur not gonna be making 150K by ur late twenties. an mba however is crucial and will definitely helpful. but like anovice said, engineers making the 6 figures have been in their field for 20+ years and are well into their forties or early fifties. if ur interested in money, go petroleum, b/c it has the highest starting salary of any undergrad engineering degree (around 60,000) and won't be in much demand after 2014 so you will have ok job security. trouble is, most universities dont offer it as a major although the top petro e schools are ut, stanford, and texas a&m. my dad graduated from ut in 1982 with a b.s. in petroleum engineering and was making around 50,000 in his first couple of years out of college b4 he got an mba.</p>
<p>Edited......................</p>
<p>well I want to go into management ASAP, so I'll probably want an MBA, but would getting it part time perhaps be a better idea so that I still have experience, still get an MBA, and not lose too much money from biz school or what? I don't really want to work in the tech industry while I'm young, but perhaps when I'm older and have made enough, I can move down and work as a normal engineer.</p>
<p>But anyways, I understand that I probably wont make 150k as a 25 or even 28 year old, but I was wondering if its at all possible to reach this by about 32-35, and about how much I can expect to make when I become a manager.</p>
<p>Btw, for the whole "how long does it take to become a manager" thing, I know it varies, but can someone please give me an average?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Btw, for the whole "how long does it take to become a manager" thing, I know it varies, but can someone please give me an average?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>No.. you're completely missing the point. </p>
<p>And also, why do you want to get into management? And who do you think you will be managing? You've got it all backwards, no one wants a 25 year old manager, or even a 35 year old manager. You need experience before you can become any type of manager (outside of fast food or retail) for any respectable company. </p>
<p>You want an average? How about 50 years.. most people don't get into management anyways.</p>
<p>how is 13 years not significant experience? That seems a bit ridiculous. 50 years?? ***?? I'm pretty sure most people aren't freaking 72 when they get promoted dude. </p>
<p>Who do I want to manage? Engineers (obviously). Why do I want to do it? Because I like business, and yes, I do think they earn a pretty good salary. </p>
<p>But come on. Are you serious that you can only be promoted when you're like 40? If so, there's no way I'm doing this then because I don't want to work as an engineer for THAT long.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If so, there's no way I'm doing this then because I don't want to work as an engineer for THAT long.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Then you should seriously reconsider your choice of career. The people that get promoted to engineering management are the ones that show many years of exceptional engineering work. </p>
<p>You wanted an average, I gave you one. Is it the correct one? Probably not, but it probably is close to the average length of time it takes to become a manager if you consider all engineers, ceteris paribus. You have not said or indicated anything that would make me believe you are anyone special who could beat the odds. I would say the average age of a true engineering manager would certainly be in the mid 40s, at the least. Most engineering managers I have worked with were certainly approaching 50 years of age (indicated by having children that were nearing college age themselves). </p>
<p>Could you be manager at a company that makes parts with 50 employees by age 35? Sure.. why not. I'm sure that's not what you're dreaming of either. Companies hire managers because they bring one thing: experience. An MBA won't give you that. Ten years experience simply isn't enough.. that's only 1 or 2 jobs... 1 or 2 projects.. You have to work your way up. There are no shortcuts.</p>