YaNi wrote:
nicet wrote:
In most states (I would guess 75% or better) you do not need a full blown engineering degree but you do need NICET certification which does not require college. I do know in the following states; Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas and everything south of the Mason Dixon line (with the exception of Florida) NICET certification is as good as a professional engineer. In all the states where NICET is accepted the law is only three people can submit drawings. Registered architects, professional engineers and NICET certified technicians in the case of fire sprinkler systems.
A NICET is nowhere as useful as a certified PE. Most companies REQUIRE a B.S. just to apply for the position, which means people like my father with 30 years experience and a 2 year technical degree are SOL. PE's also have a much higher salary.
For what it is worth.
Some states (Georgia) won't accept a PE for drawing submittal. Has to be NICET.
Average pay scales for professional engineers.
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Certified_Professional_Engineer_(PE)/Salary
Average pay scale for civil, mechanical, structural and electrical hover right at $70k while senior people make between the high $80's to mid $90's.
The latest nicet salary survey.
http://www.nicet.org/about/pressrelease_salarysurvey.pdf
Page 5 Table 14 indicates 75.4% earn over $45k.
55.12% earn in excess of $55k.
29.08% earn in excess of $70k.
18.25% earn in excess of 80k.
Also should be noted on Page 3 Table 4 13.69% of the respondents were Level I and 16.52% of the respondents were Level II which are considered trainees and they do make less. With 40.21% of the respondents being trainees these are the people who typically make between $30k and $50k and since they are included in the survey they will pull the average wage down.
Most senior level IV technicians I know (and I live in Pondunkville far from any large metro areas) earn between $65k and $80k in this area (think Alabama where $70k is considered a good living) . I know some in the larger metro areas that make $100k but that isn't so hot for New York, Boston or San Francisco. Salary might be a little less but not as much as one would think.
Nobody I have heard of who has 10 years experience makes less than $50k anywhere in the country and I'm talking the middle of Nebraska..
One huge advantage of NICET over PE is its portability across state lines whereas a PE must be licensed in every individual state.
Also consider getting a PE takes money and effort. It's a five year program any way you cut it, anywhere between $50k and $100k in student loans and there is the period of relatively low wages as an EIT.
If college and engineering is your thing then specialize in fire protection engineering because the average salary there is around $120k from what I have read.
As far as job availability do the google search using fire sprinkler nicet jobs and see what pops up.
Of course this wouldn't be for everyone and we all need to recognize if you are married, have kids and have a mortgage taking five years off to go to college full time for a PE is simply out of the question. There's no way, it would be like five years unemployment spending more money on a lot less income. Just isn't feasable. But for someone with some CAD experience and maybe the wherewithall for two years of community college the prospect of earning $30k in two years and $60k in five might appeal to some.
