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June 6, 2007
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    From One Techie to Another:
    Salary Survey Results for 2007

    Featured Article:
    Why Most ERP Vendors Stay Away from Process Manufacturing

    Product Announcements:
    -Beckhoff adds EtherNet/IP to TwinCAT Software
    -ASI RJ modular jack Ethernet connector
    -TURCK introduces BLident modular RFID
    -MatrikonOPC server for Motorola MOSCAD
    -Advantech AMAX PAC
    -AutomationDirect adds Hubbell/Wiegmann enclosures
    -MOXA ioMirror E3210 Ethernet I/O server
    -Schneider Altistart 01 soft start motor control, and much more

    Resources & Literature:
    -AS-Interface Solutions Guide
    -Industrial Connectivity & Automation Products CD
    -Industrial video networking website, and more

    Events, Seminars & Training:
    -WINA-ISA Industrial Wireless Tutorial
    -Free EtherNet/IP Seminar
    -Wireless Solutions for Manufacturing Automation Conference; and much more

    Company & Application News:
    -Infor Acquires Workbrain and Hansen
    -Hirschmann to build new HQ in Pennsylvania
    -B&R exec elected to OMAC Packaging Workgroup
    -Flowserve to provide pumps to LA Refinery; and more

    New Job Opportunities

    Dilbert of the Week
    Sponsor: Remke Industries From One Techie to Another

    Tuff-Link Industrial Connectors

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    Salary Survey Results for 2007

    The results of our 2007 salary survey are in. As you can imagine, it's a pretty time consuming task to tally these results properly. Unfortunately, we only have the results compiled for the U.S. at this time. Thanks to everyone who participated. View the Salary Survey Results.

    The typical respondent was virtually no different than our 2005 salary survey respondent...a Caucasian, male Automation/Control engineer from the Midwest region in the U.S. His average age is 43.6. He has a college degree in either electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology. He has 18 years of experience and has worked for his present employer less than five years. The average salary was $83,623, without a bonus. The average work week was 46.8 hours and each had nearly 3 weeks of vacation per year.

    An overwhelming percentage (79%) of respondents said they were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their current job. The top three satisfaction factors include salary, feeling of accomplishment, and technical challenge. The top three benefits (excluding salary) were health insurance, pension plan/401K, and flexible working hours.

    I made a few interesting observations from the survey results. I could have gone on and on here, but I'll let you draw some of your own conclusions.

    Good news! In two years, the average overall salary jumped from $76,926 to $83,623...roughly a 4% increase per year.

    It pays to obtain an advanced degree (or even attend some graduate school)...those with an advanced degree have a $9,993 higher annual salary ($93,631) than those with a bachelor's degree ($83,638).

    The highest paying job function was Quality Control, Evaluation & Testing at $109,167. It appears that the executives have been able to justify paying high salaries when it comes to quality assurance. Next in line were General or Operations Management at $103,676 and Engineering Management at $102,574. It pays to be in management! And as you might expect, the next highest salary was associated with all those hard working (or not so hard working) outside sales guys.

    The highest paid degrees were Chemical Engineering at $99,375 followed by Computer Science at $95,086.

    Guess which region within the U.S. demands the highest salary. If you guessed Southern California, you're RIGHT. The average salary in Southern California is $91,810. The Southern region came in second at $89,611.

    Independent contractors are bringing in an average of $9,811 more per year than direct employees...that's almost a $2,500 decrease compared to 2005.

    Professionals working for very small companies (fewer than 50 people) are paid higher than those working for companies with 50 to 249 people. But otherwise, the larger the company, the larger the pay.

    View the Complete Salary Survey Results

    If you have any comments or questions regarding our 2007 survey or results, please don't hesitate to contact me.

    Enjoy the rest of this eNews!

    Rick Zabel
    Vice President, Publisher

    Featured Article

    Why Most ERP Vendors Stay Away from Process Manufacturing
    Process manufacturing is a relatively small market compared to markets such as discrete manufacturing, retail and professional services; the size of the market is commensurate with the few quality software solutions for process manufacturers, whereas discrete manufacturing, retail and professional services have hundreds of software solutions, from entry level through Tier One.

    Read full article by Thomas R. Cutler
    Read other articles and by Thomas Cutler

    Browse Portals for more articles, white papers and application stories

    Product Announcements
    Beckhoff adds EtherNet/IP support to TwinCAT Software Beckhoff adds EtherNet/IP support to TwinCAT Software 6/5/07
    EtherNet/IP has been fully integrated into the TwinCAT programming environment, allowing for graphical linking of mapped data to PLC tasks.
    ASI announces RJ modular jack Ethernet connector ASI announces RJ modular jack Ethernet connector 6/5/07
    The connector provides interfaces between various types of equipment that use the Ethernet/RJ type of connectors and individual wiring.
    TURCK introduces BLident modular RFID TURCK introduces BLident modular RFID 6/5/07
    BLident modular RFID system has built-in I/O and supports PROFIBUS-DP, DeviceNet, Modbus-TCP, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP.
      MatrikonOPC releases server for Motorola MOSCAD 6/4/07
    This MatrikonOPC Server provides real-time data access to the Motorola family of MOSCAD Remote Terminal Units (RTUs).
    Advantech introduces AMAX Programmable Automation Controller Advantech introduces AMAX Programmable Automation Controller - 6/1/07
    The AMAX distributed control PAC combines analog, discrete and motion control. Prices start at $485.
    AutomationDirect adds enclosures from Hubbell/Wiegmann AutomationDirect adds enclosures from Hubbell/Wiegmann - 5/31/07
    The NEMA-rated cabinets range in size from 20x21x8 in. wall-mountable to 84x197x18 in. heavy duty free-standing units.
      MOXA introduces ioMirror E3210 Ethernet I/O server 5/31/07
    Peer-to-peer active Ethernet I/O servers use the Ethernet and IP networks to extend the distance between digital inputs and digital outputs.
    TURCK introduces M16 powerfast Connectors TURCK introduces M16 powerfast Connectors - 5/31/07
    These connectors are suitable for conveyor, small motor and material handling applications.

    Other Product Announcements

    Product & Supplier Search
    Resources & Literature
    Featured Resource: AS-Interface Solutions Guide
    This 200+ page resource from Pepperl+Fuchs includes a full color selection guide to assist users in choosing the optimum AS-Interface components to satisfy their application requirements. It also includes fully illustrated educational articles on AS-Interface systems and components, including AS-Interface Safety at Work (SaW).
    More information
    Other Resources:
    SIXNET Releases Free Product CD SIXNET Releases Free Industrial Connectivity & Automation Products CD - 6/5/07
    CD covers Sixnet's line of Industrial Connectivity and Automation products, including Industrial PoE (Power over Ethernet) products and software.
      Moxa opens Industrial Video website - 5/31/07
    MOXA unveiled its dedicated industrial video networking website, which presents a full view of industrial video networking solutions. Site covers tools for industrial video servers and IP surveillance software.
    Events, Seminars & Training

    Featured Event: WINA-ISA Industrial Wireless Tutorial
    July 22, 2007 Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
    A three-hour wireless tutorial is being presented by the Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance (WINA) and ISA. The tutorial precedes a two-day program, "Wireless Solutions for Manufacturing Automation: Insights for Technology and Business Success," sponsored by ISA and WINA, to provide enterprise management and senior technical personnel with business insights into the current state of wireless technologies for manufacturing and control systems.
    More information

    Other Upcoming Events & Training

    Go to our Calendar of Events to see other upcoming events. Add an event to our calendar.
    Company & Application News

    Here are the latest company and application news headlines for your review...use the following links to read the full article. Check out our Daily News Headlines page frequently to stay up-to-date on the industry events.

    Company & Organization News:

    Application News:

    New Jobs

    Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:

    To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.
    Dilbert of the Week
    Why Managers don’t let Engineers talk to the CEO.

     

    I hope you enjoyed this Automation Weekly update. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content in this e-newsletter or on Automation.com, please don't hesitate to contact me.

    Rick Zabel
    Vice President, Publisher
    Automation.com

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