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| Sponsor: Softing North America |
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| From One Techie to Another |
Salary Expectations
As many of you know, we published the results of our 2008 Salary Survey. I received some interesting feedback from a few readers and one e-mail conversation, in particular, sticks in my mind. The president of a New York-based systems integrator recently questioned the accuracy of salary data in general. He fears that respondents to the surveys inflate their annual salaries in an effort to inflate the salary results. These inflated results would then allow engineers to take published salary data to their managers in an attempt to get a pay raise.
While it's possible that some respondents use this tactic, I have a hard time believing it's a wide-spread conspiracy. It turns out that this systems integrator recently interviewed more than 40 new college graduates. Many of them have unrealistic expectations (set by their professors) that they can make an annual salary of $80K, right out of college.
According to our salary survey, automation engineers typically don't pull in an $80K salary until they have 10-15 years of industry experience. And those with less than two years of experience earn an average of $48K per year - which I believe is more in line with current reality.
How do these new college graduates expect to make $80K with virtually no experience? If professors are setting these unrealistic expectations, something has to be done to reset them. And it's going to require a group effort.
According to the president of this systems integrator, "In the competitive global environment, if hiring managers hire individuals based on inflated salaries, G&A costs are affected. Revenue would have to increase and that means project bids would have to increase. The result would be less success in winning projects."
"I am receiving emails from India on a regular basis with the offer for automation engineers to do the programming and HMI development for $10US per hour. Numerous other systems integrators as well as automation product suppliers have been outsourcing that way. Much the same way of the steel, automotive, and electric industries, to name a few - we too as automation engineers can and will be displaced in our own country," says this systems integrator.
These are very valid concerns. We have a skills shortage and we need young talent joining the automation ranks. But many companies are trying to keep project costs down by outsourcing. In my opinion, manufacturing companies need to start realizing the true value that automation engineers bring to the party. The work of automation engineers results in increased productivity and tremendous reduction of manufacturing costs. Project costs should reflect that. The ROIs are huge. If we are going to start attracting young talent, salaries need to go up for all automation and control engineers. Something has to give or like the president of this systems integrator says, "automation engineers can and will be displaced in our own country."
Share your thoughts on this topic in our forum.
If you have any comments or questions regarding our 2008 survey or results, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Enjoy the rest of this Automation Weekly!
Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher |
| Featured Article |
2008 Salary Survey Data
Great news! In one year, the average overall annual salary jumped from $83,623 to $88,252...roughly a 5.5% increase since 2007. I've always said that with the skills shortage in our industry, automation professionals will be in higher demand and, as a result, they will be able to command higher salaries. This is proof of that trend.
View complete Salary Survey Results
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| Product Announcements |
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Omron STI introduces DST1-XD safety I/O terminals
Terminals can operate as part of a DeviceNet Safety Network, or as a stand-alone safety system monitored through a DeviceNet network. |
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GE Fanuc enhances Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX 5.0
Enhancements include a new look and feel, and failover, charting and Historian functions. |
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Phoenix Contact releases radio-ready NEMA 4X enclosure
RAD-SYS-NEMA4X-900 enclosure simplifies the installation of industrial wireless radio modems and small RTUs. It includes a 24 Vdc power supply, UPS, surge protection and an antenna adapter. |
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Autodesk announces network design and management software
Autodesk Utility Design (AUD) 2009 software and Autodesk Topobase 2009 software improve network design and management for the utilities industry.
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ASI announces screw-lock pluggable terminal blocks
Pluggable terminal blocks provide a screw locking feature similar to that found in many other types of connectors. |
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ABB pressure transmitters comply with dual seal standards
2600T Series pressure transmitters are compliant with CSA and ANSI/ISA 12.27.01 Dual Seal Standards for the oil and gas market.
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Applied Motion releases STM Drive+Motor combination
STM is a stepper drive and motor unit fused into a single device that offers savings on space, wiring and cost when compared with conventional motor and drive solutions. |
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Danaher releases MechaWare mechatronic toolkit
MechaWare 3.0 mechatronic toolkit seamlessly integrates mechanical systems and control software design. |
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Heidenhain releases 1Dplus 2-dimensional encoder
1Dplus two-dimensional encoder allows measurement of linear guiding and thermal drift errors during movements of a stage or machine. |
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K-TEK announces MS41 magnetically actuated level switch
MS41 has a compact dual-compartment that isolates the 10 A DPDT (double pole, double throw) switching mechanism from the environment. |
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Pepperl+Fuchs introduces Bebco EPS 6000 Purge/Pressurization System
The purge/pressurization system has an intuitive programming screen that allows the user to quickly and easily configure the system to meet specific application needs. |
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Rexroth releases Electrohydraulic Flow Matching control
EFM control generates the adjusting signals for the pump at the same time the valves are controlled, thereby ensuring that adequate flow is made available.
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WebDock updates DataPort Data Collection for RSLinx
Enhancements to DataPort 2008.14 include graphing from the main program, email abilities and bug fixes.
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Wilcoxon introduces accelerometer electrical isolation bases
Isolator mounting bases protect a vibration sensor from up to 1500 volts of electricity by electrically isolating it from the case of the machine on which it is mounted.
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Zaber introduces T-LS Linear Stage
T-LS 0.1 um resolution motorized linear stage is available in 13mm and 28mm travel versions, with either metric or imperial mounting holes. |
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VarTech releases VTPC104ECHB IP66 computer
VTPC104ECHB is ideal for harsh outdoor applications where weather and high ambient lighting are factors. |
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For MORE of the latest product announcements, go to our Daily News Headlines page.
Product & Supplier Search
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| Resources & Literature |
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| Other Resources & Literature:
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Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news. |
| Events, Seminars & Training |
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Upcoming Events & Training
- FDT Technical Seminars: Through October 28, 2008
- MatrikonOPC User Group Asia-Pacific and Australia 2008: July 29, 2008
- In-Building Wireless Part 2 webinar: August 1, 2008
- NIWeek 2008 Graphical System Design Conference: August 5-7, 2008
- A&WMA Offers Environmental Webinars: August 6 & 27, 2008
- Configuration Tech Webinar: August 19, 2008
- Hands-On PLC Training Workshop: August 19-21, 2008
- MRP Software Training: August 20-21, 2008
- MEGA Symposium: August 25-28, 2008
- The WonderWorld™ 2008 Global Conference Series: Begins October 6, 2008
Go to our Calendar of Events to see other upcoming events. Add an event to our calendar. |
| Company & Organization News |
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ABB appoints Joseph Hogan CEO
Hogan is currently CEO of GE Healthcare and is a member of the GE Senior Executive Council. He will join ABB on September 1, 2008. |
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ProSoft Technology mourns loss of President/Founder, assigns successor
Douglas Sharratt, lost his life in a plane crash in Sunriver, Oregon. ProSoft Technology names CFO, Gary Joke, his successor.
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ARC says Process Safety System market to grow 12%
The worldwide market, which is around $1.4 billion in 2007, is expected to grow 12% per year to over $2.5 billion in 2012. |
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Wonderware announces Innovation Partner Program
Companies participating in the Innovation Partner Program will use the Wonderware System Platform software as the foundation for implementations of customer automation and information projects. |
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ABB to acquire Kuhlman Electric Corporation
Kuhlman Electric manufactures a wide range of high-quality transformers for the industrial and electric utility sectors. |
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Software Toolbox joins Wonderware's Innovation Partner Program
Software Toolbox was chosen to provide technical support services to Wonderware, their channel, customers, VARs and OEMs for new device communications options. |
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Wonderware selects Kepware for device communications
Kepware was selected as the primary provider to extend device communications options for Wonderware's System Platform 3.0 product. |
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ISA EXPO focuses on Enterprise Integration
ISA EXPO 2008 will feature enterprise integration as one of six technology exchanges. |
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Ken Ryan joins PLCopen Board of Management
Dr. Kenneth J. Ryan is the director of the Center for Applied Mechatronics at Alexandria Technical College in Alexandria, Minnesota, USA. |
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Other Company & Organization News:
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| Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news. |
| Application News |
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Other Application News:
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Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news. |
| New Jobs |
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:
- Senior Technical Analyst - Controls Design Team: Tyson Foods, Inc. - Fayetteville, AR
- New Jersey/Pennsylvania Branch Manager: JMP Engineering Inc. - NJ or PA
- Technical Solutions Engineer IV: Yokogawa Corporation of America - Sugar Land, TX
- Field Service Specialist III: Yokogawa Corporation of America - Sugar Land, TX
- Field Engineer II: Yokogawa Corporation of America - Sugar Land, TX
- Engineer II and III - Automation Emphasis: Schweitzer Engineering Labs - Pullman, WA
- Business Development Manager - Service: Yokogawa Corporation of America - Sugar Land, TX
- Field Service Technician: Spherion/Honeywell - Canton, MA
- HVAC Controls Verification Technician: Spherion/Honeywell - Canton, MA
- Electrical Technician: automationtechies - Plymouth, MN
To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function. For recruiting and contract staffing services, please visit www.automationtechies.com. |
| Humor of the Week |
Dilbert
Check your moral compass (Strip)
No room for a healthy moral compass (Strip) |
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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