Engineers in North America, Europe and Great Britain say they are generally satisfied with their jobs and current employers. However a recent survey result conducted, found that female engineers in North America appear to be more likely to seek new opportunities and with a different employer. These women are younger and better educated than their male counterparts, although they have fewer years of experience in the profession and their average compensation is lower.

These are some of the top findings of the engineers’ compensation survey, a research project recently completed by the editors of IHS Engineering360.

Over 1,000 engineers took part in the survey in June, providing insights into their compensations as well as overall job satisfaction. The respondents were from North America— comprising of 83%, 10% from Europe and 6% from the U.K., with 88% male participation and 12% female participation.

The survey data revealed that engineers who took part in the survey are middle aged and professionally experienced. Most respondents say they are between 50-65 years old. The mean age of North American male engineers was around 55 whereas for North American females, the average age was 10 years younger, around 45 years of age.

There were also three times more North American females than men in the 20-29 and 35-39 age ranges. This is seen as a positive sign for those who are working to bring more women into the profession. This finding may be reinforced by the fact that 15% of North American females say they have four years or less experience in the profession. By contrast, around 5% of North American males report a similar tenure.

A majority of engineers in North America, Europe, and Great Britain reported that they have been working in the field for over 30 years. Among North American male respondents, more than 50% reported having more than 30 years of experience. Just over 20% of North American female respondents reported having similar tenure in the profession.

Satisfaction

According to the survey, 59% of engineers are satisfied with their current job and employer, whereas 9% of engineers, are considering changing career paths altogether and 8% expressed total dissatisfaction. These group of respondents say they would leave their current jobs if something came along the way.

Further findings revealed that, 59% of engineers say they would leave if offered more money, 54% would leave for better project opportunities, 46% would leave if it meant a better quality of life and 45% would be ready to make the leap for a better work-life balance.

Respondents worried the most about their work/life balance, job market/unemployment, salary, health insurance and gender/age discrimination as the most important issues in their work related challenges.

Educational Achievement

In Europe and the U.K. almost 30% of engineers achieved a Masters Degree, while in North America a higher number of engineers, almost 40%, achieved a Bachelors of Science degree or its equivalent. North American female respondents appear to be better educated than their male counterparts. Nearly 25% of females report having earned a Master’s Degree. That compares with 15% of North American males. By contrast, around 12% of females say they hold no more than a high school diploma, 5 % points lower than their male counterparts at around 17%.

In North America many male engineers reported working in the aerospace and defense industry, as well as building and construction. North American women also reported working in the aerospace and defense industry. However, in Great Britain and Europe, a top industry field response was technical design.

Compensation

According to the survey, 21% of european engineers reported an annual salary in 2014 of €33,000 to €45,000 ($51,275 to $69,921). Some 16% say they earned €0 to €23,000 ($0 to $35,737) and 17% earned €24,000 to €32,000 ($37,291 to $49,721).

Three percent of engineers reported earning a salary of €138,000 ($214,425) or higher last year.

In Great Britain, salary ranges were more dispersed. Last year, 20% of engineers earned £33,000 to £42,000 ($51,275 to $65,260), 17% earned £43,000 to £49,000 ($66,813 to $76,136), 12% earned £60,000 to £71,000 ($93,228 to $110,320) and 5% reported earning £98,000 ($152,273) or more.

North America had the most distributed reported salary earnings for 2014. Engineers fell within each of the salary ranges more evenly than in Europe or Great Britain. In 2014, 18% of North American engineers earned between $50,000 and $65,000, 15% earned between $91,000 and $110,000 and 14% earned between $76,000 and $90,000. And 6% of engineers earned more than $150,000. At the other end of the scale, 6% earned less than $25,000.

A closer look at the data shows that North American females had a mean salary of around $65,000. The mean salary for their male counterparts was $10,000 more at around $75,000. A greater proportion of males than females fell into the salary ranges of $66,000 and higher. A greater proportion of females than men fell into the salary ranges of $65,000 and less.

For example, around 7% of males say they earned $150,000 or more in 2014. No females reported earning at that level. By contrast, around 13% of females reported earning between $26,000 to$35,000 in 2014. Around 3% of males reported earning a similar amount.

Respondents in Europe and U.K., most often reported working in these industry sectors: Engineering, Tech Design Services; Aerospace & Defense; Automotive; Oil & Gas; Industrial Machinery, Tools & Equipment; Utilities/Energy; General Manufacturing; Chemicals, Plastics & Rubber; and Instrumentation & Controls.

The most common job functions for respondents include Engineering/Design; Technical Support Services; Engineering, Tech; R&D; Engineering, Process/Production;Project Management; Quality Control/Assurance; and Maintenance/Facilities Management.

As for North American females, the industry segments most commonly cited were Aerospace & Defense; Engineering/Tech Design Services; Building & Construction; Chemicals, Plastics, Rubber; Medical Equipment/Instrumentation; Automotive; Biotech/Pharmaceuticals; Government; Oil & Gas; and General Manufacturing.

Most common job functions among females were Engineering/Design; Quality Control/Assurance; Technical Support/Services; Engineering, Process/Production; R&D; Project Management; Engineering/Tech; Manufacturing; General Corporate Management; and Architect/Builder/Contractor.

Amidst the North American males, the industry segments most commonly cited were Aerospace & Defense; Building & Construction; General Manufacturing; Industrial Mach/Tools & Equipment; Automotive; Oil & Gas; Utilities/Energy; Engineering/Tech ; Design Services; Chemicals, Plastics, Rubber; and Government.

The most common job functions among these males were Engineering/Design; Engineering, Process/Production; Project Management; Tech Support/Services;Architect/Builder/Contractor; Manufacturing; R&D; Engineering/Tech; Maintenance/Facilities Management; and Quality Control/Assurance.

To receive a copy of the full survey results, contact the editors at engineering360editors@ihs.com.