Average salaries for Chartered Engineers in the healthcare, civil and structural, and mechanical and manufacturing sectors have increased significantly, according to an Engineers Ireland salary survey.
The survey, which compared figures in 2005 to 2008, found that salaries for Chartered Engineers in healthcare have grown by an average of 27%, with civil and structural engineering salaries increasing by 28% and mechanical and manufacturing by 22%. Starting salaries for engineering graduates were also found to be as high as €31,000.
Speaking at the survey launch, Mr. John Power, Chartered Engineer and Engineers Ireland Director General, highlighted that careers in the engineering industry continued to offer significant financial rewards and security, even in harsher economic times. “There are still quite clearly job opportunities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and environmental engineering as well as demand for process and project engineers. And with this survey showing salary scales in a number of engineering categories continuing to increase, we would strongly advocate that those considering career options look at the lucrative and diverse possibilities the engineering industry can offer them. Engineering is a fundamental part of any economy and will always be so”, he said.
The salary survey, undertaken early this year in association with Brunel, the specialist technical recruitment division of Premier Group, also found that 52% of respondents indicated that the economic slowdown was the biggest challenge facing the engineering sector, with 27% citing skills shortage as the second biggest challenge.
Mr. Power added: “Naturally, engineering positions within the housing sector, like all jobs in this industry, have been affected by the slowdown. But there are still engineering jobs out there offering job security and excellent career possibilities.”
