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Similar to salary survey.. hourly?

28 REPLIES 28
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Message 1 of 29
Anonymous
495 Views, 28 Replies

Similar to salary survey.. hourly?

Ok I think I'm a rare breed.. just curious how rare. Anyone else on an
hourly rate like myself? OT? The owners have encouraged me to go salary
but I've refused. Some weeks I work 80 hours and it would just kill my
motivation completely to be salary at a time like that. And with no lack of
work here so far, I'm not worried about a slow down and them sending me home
early or anything. So anyone else hourly? (not so much curious about pay..
just wondering if I'm alone)

Ok just a little clarification on my position: Company of about 40
employees. I am also the lead drafter... meaning I take on the major
projects of my company. I also decide cad standards and maintain 90% of the
IT responsibilities. So since I still do put out work.. about 70% of my
time is billable.

--
Andy Rollins
CAD Manager
Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc.
28 REPLIES 28
Message 2 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

I am Paid by the Hour aswell were i work.
I have many hats here. Im IT Admin, Help Desk, CAD Mgr, and last but not least CAD Designer. My hours do vary from time to time. but that suits me just fine. They flux from from norm. to 130 hrs between pay periods.
Message 3 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Hourly hear. No way, under our workload would I work salary. Average 50
hours/week, sometimes more to meet deadlines. 10-15 employees, like you I
am the lead. I spend a good deal of time in design. I also try to keep
things rolling, enforcing (somewhat) standards, pulling together loose ends
to complete package. I play IT and cadmanager. 70-80% billable.
Matt

"Andy Rollins" wrote in message
news:4B2F2049A95BCD4C768EE3F5533030F0@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Ok I think I'm a rare breed.. just curious how rare. Anyone else on an
> hourly rate like myself? OT? The owners have encouraged me to go salary
> but I've refused. Some weeks I work 80 hours and it would just kill my
> motivation completely to be salary at a time like that. And with no lack
of
> work here so far, I'm not worried about a slow down and them sending me
home
> early or anything. So anyone else hourly? (not so much curious about
pay..
> just wondering if I'm alone)
>
> Ok just a little clarification on my position: Company of about 40
> employees. I am also the lead drafter... meaning I take on the major
> projects of my company. I also decide cad standards and maintain 90% of
the
> IT responsibilities. So since I still do put out work.. about 70% of my
> time is billable.
>
> --
> Andy Rollins
> CAD Manager
> Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc.
>
>
Message 4 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

I am hourly as well, no time and a 1/2 but paid straight for every hour I
work
I average 50+ hours per week.

I would hold on to the hourly rate unless they could exceed what
you make with all the extra hours. look at the last check stub of the
year and compare the gross, I would also hire and
start delegating work if you work 80 hour a week.




Karl Detrick
Cadd Manager
Creighton Manning Engineering
Albany, New York

08.01.0007 v8
08.04 inroads
Autocad 2000
LDD3

"Andy Rollins" wrote in message
news:4B2F2049A95BCD4C768EE3F5533030F0@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Ok I think I'm a rare breed.. just curious how rare. Anyone else on an
> hourly rate like myself? OT? The owners have encouraged me to go salary
> but I've refused. Some weeks I work 80 hours and it would just kill my
> motivation completely to be salary at a time like that. And with no lack
of
> work here so far, I'm not worried about a slow down and them sending me
home
> early or anything. So anyone else hourly? (not so much curious about
pay..
> just wondering if I'm alone)
>
> Ok just a little clarification on my position: Company of about 40
> employees. I am also the lead drafter... meaning I take on the major
> projects of my company. I also decide cad standards and maintain 90% of
the
> IT responsibilities. So since I still do put out work.. about 70% of my
> time is billable.
>
> --
> Andy Rollins
> CAD Manager
> Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc.
>
>
Message 5 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

>>Some weeks I work 80 hours

So, use that as an average, and go salary 🙂



"Andy Rollins" wrote in message
news:4B2F2049A95BCD4C768EE3F5533030F0@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Ok I think I'm a rare breed.. just curious how rare. Anyone else on an
> hourly rate like myself? OT? The owners have encouraged me to go salary
> but I've refused. Some weeks I work 80 hours and it would just kill my
> motivation completely to be salary at a time like that. And with no lack
of
> work here so far, I'm not worried about a slow down and them sending me
home
> early or anything. So anyone else hourly? (not so much curious about
pay..
> just wondering if I'm alone)
>
> Ok just a little clarification on my position: Company of about 40
> employees. I am also the lead drafter... meaning I take on the major
> projects of my company. I also decide cad standards and maintain 90% of
the
> IT responsibilities. So since I still do put out work.. about 70% of my
> time is billable.
>
> --
> Andy Rollins
> CAD Manager
> Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc.
>
>
Message 6 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Hourly. Since I'm a Civil Servant. My official title is Engineering
Specialist. My job is CAD/Survey Manager. No OT. Any time over regular time
is Time + 1/2 as Comp. time. Don't get too much of that since we don't have
the hard deadlines that most places have. Most of the time I get comp. is
when there is an emergency in the field and I'm thrown out into the real
world. Here in the Hudson Valley of N.Y. that usually means flooding from a
hurricane, tropical storm or Nor'Easter.

Allen Jessup
Rockland County Highway Dept.

"Andy Rollins" wrote in message
news:4B2F2049A95BCD4C768EE3F5533030F0@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Ok I think I'm a rare breed.. just curious how rare. Anyone else on an
> hourly rate like myself? OT? The owners have encouraged me to go salary
> but I've refused. Some weeks I work 80 hours and it would just kill my
> motivation completely to be salary at a time like that. And with no lack
of
> work here so far, I'm not worried about a slow down and them sending me
home
> early or anything. So anyone else hourly? (not so much curious about
pay..
> just wondering if I'm alone)
>
> Ok just a little clarification on my position: Company of about 40
> employees. I am also the lead drafter... meaning I take on the major
> projects of my company. I also decide cad standards and maintain 90% of
the
> IT responsibilities. So since I still do put out work.. about 70% of my
> time is billable.
>
> --
> Andy Rollins
> CAD Manager
> Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc.
>
>
Message 7 of 29
slacker
in reply to: Anonymous

Hourly here, OT is time+1/2. Company has about 1000 employees, about 50% have CAD, maybe 75% of those actually produce dwgs. All in all, the usual responsibilities - production work, standards, customization, training, plotting support, etc. I personally only perform minor IT stuff, like CAD installs and basic Windows support. We have a large and competent IT dept. I am usually about 75% project billable, average about 45 hours week.


I have been asked to go to salary a couple times in the last few years. I gave them my price and how I came up with it, and they changed their mind. Which is what I wanted.


I basically sat down, went through my previous 52 weeks' time sheets, calculated the gross amount of what I actually made over the last 52 weeks at my current rate + OT, added 5% for those all too occasional hours I work that I don't bill for, then added 10% (on principle, in expectation of them expecting me to work additional hours as a salaried worker). Offered that as a base salary, with a guaranteed minimum 5% raise each year (called it a cost of living raise).

They had figured they could get me at my hourly rate*40hours*52weeks+6%, and even worse, they foolishly thought it would be an increase over what I made. I guess they didn't realize how much time I am really here, since they are rarely around themselves.

I am just glad they didn't try to force it on me, or I would have been out of there. Though, if they would have met my price, I would have taken it!
Message 8 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Andy,

Check with your local labor department laws and look for the definition of
"EXCEMPT EMPLOYEES," or consult with a lawyer. To be an excempt employee in
California you must spend most of your time managing others, not working in
production. There are other ways to be excempt, for example, if you provide
"professional" services like law, medicine but usually those also require
the employee to have a masters of higher degree.

An interesting thing is that employers that break the law could be liable
for overtime pay retroactively.

Regards,

Emmanuel

"Andy Rollins" wrote in message
news:4B2F2049A95BCD4C768EE3F5533030F0@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Ok I think I'm a rare breed.. just curious how rare. Anyone else on an
> hourly rate like myself? OT? The owners have encouraged me to go salary
> but I've refused. Some weeks I work 80 hours and it would just kill my
> motivation completely to be salary at a time like that. And with no lack
of
> work here so far, I'm not worried about a slow down and them sending me
home
> early or anything. So anyone else hourly? (not so much curious about
pay..
> just wondering if I'm alone)
>
> Ok just a little clarification on my position: Company of about 40
> employees. I am also the lead drafter... meaning I take on the major
> projects of my company. I also decide cad standards and maintain 90% of
the
> IT responsibilities. So since I still do put out work.. about 70% of my
> time is billable.
>
> --
> Andy Rollins
> CAD Manager
> Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc.
>
>
Message 9 of 29
old-cadaver
in reply to: Anonymous

"Design", being an intellectual property, finds itself in an odd position pertaining to the wage exemption clause. California may have different statutes, but our test cases with the federal statutes place many of our senior people in "exempt" status, even if doing "production" drawings. AS an employer, it would behoove one to get complete clarification of compliance requirements from the governing entity.
Message 10 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

"KARL DETRICK" wrote in message
news:F3E429E36E4BA9F232FC0B215B02E0E3@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> I am hourly as well, no time and a 1/2 but paid straight for every hour I
> work
> I average 50+ hours per week.
>
> I would hold on to the hourly rate unless they could exceed what
> you make with all the extra hours. look at the last check stub of the
> year and compare the gross, I would also hire and
> start delegating work if you work 80 hour a week.

Isn't straight time for over 40 hours in a week illegal?

P
Message 11 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

I was an hourly employee for 10+ years... then BANG! Oh, the shock
of making a change.....

The last 3 years of being paid hourly, of which, I devoted 2,080 hours plus,
I averaged 750 hours / year of OT (min. - time and 1/2 - some double time).
avg. 3% per
year - C. o L.

I was negotiating a large pay raise (after being there 3 1/2 years, I had a
30% bump offered by the competition). I was happy with the Company (at the
time), so when they offered to match it - I stayed. I was the first AutoCAD
user that they had and helped to establish the CAD standards for the
department. We grew the department from 3 draftsmen to 12 (during the busy
season - 5 when normal work load). I was handling multi-million dollar
projects for them and enjoyed the challenge. One catch though (which became
significant) - they wanted me to go salary. Well I worked 5-6 months a year
doing 80+ hour weeks and the rest were 40's. I wanted to reduce my hours a
bit, so I could explore "other things" besides work. (a.k.a. have a social
life) LOL

I looked at the numbers; rolled them around in my head for a couple of days
and then decided that I would take it. I told them that I wouldn't work 55
hours a week MAX. during our normal "busy time" and 40 hours, for the
remaining time. My responsibilities had increased from Senior Draftsman to
Project Manager level (with some IT/ CAD management too). They also said
that I would be eligible for performance bonuses too (to help make up for
the slight pay decrease going to salary). Well, it was 6 months before X-mas
and Bonus time. I worked "my buns off" to show them that I could take on
everything they threw at me and more... In the busy time (we were slammed
for 6 months) and I put in 330 hours of O/T (unpaid). Everything went well -
Clients were happy and so were my bosses... So I was looking forward to
January (Bonus Time). The company is privately owned and has over 500
employees in multiple office and did $330+ million a year.

Well, when bonus time rolled around, I was told that since I had "just had a
pay raise" 6 months ago, I was "NOT ELIGIBLE" for a bonus that season... I
was miffed! When all was said and done, I made $15,000 less than the year
before!!!! Grrrrr...

I was making more than my boss (we think - with my O.T.)
about next year> Well, the next year came and went - NADA!!! COL and No
BONUS. I had cut back my hours that year to 215 hours O/T (unpaid) that
year. I was miffed about (edited) first thing, so I backed off even
more. My boss bitched at me for not working more, but I pointed out that I
made LESS now so I was going too be working less (commensurate to my pay).
What could he say, he knew I was (edited) - so he never REALLY pushed
me on the subject, just did it for managements viewing.

Well I can say that my boss knew that if I didn't get a bonus this time
around, that I would walk immediately. I did get 3 weeks pay (big deal) plus
C.o L. January 2nd, I was called up to the V.P.'s office and was told that
I was being laid -off. hahaha I laughed at them - they didn't know what
to do. They thought I was loosing it - "going postal". I had started my own
company several years before and was growing it to become more than just a
part-time job (after my day job). I had 12 projects the day I walked out the
door. I got 3 months severance plus all my unpaid time-off. I cashed in my
401k to buy the equipment I still didn't have for my office an voila! I had
actually planned to take my 4 weeks of vacation and then come back and give
them 30 days notice (I figured I would be nice and I could train my
replacement if they wanted me to).

I love being my own boss... 3 years completed and still enjoying (almost)
everyday. the commute is great! (15 feet instead of 15 miles one way). I set
the hours. No inane meetings to discuss the agenda for the real meeting. No
sitting waiting 2 hours for my 15 min. portion.
I set my hours - which I REALLY love (I am a night owl, as you can see) 6:30
am came too quick. (I had only been asleep for 4-5 hours at that point)
More than once I was slapped on the wrist for being 15 min. late - even on
the days I was work 12-16 hours, Now does that make any sense?

Companies have changed the way that they look at employees as a whole. Most
companies have come to view their employees as a replaceable commodity. What
they often forget, is that it costs approx. 1 1/2 times a person's first
year salary, to get them trained to be able to do the job. And then if they
pay a search company - that's more $. I often see companies spending BIG $
to hire contract people for a partial year ( more often than not, this cost
more than hiring another regular staffer (the "bean counters" feel that it
is cheaper).

I digress a little - sorry.

Stay salary as long as you can... They want a fixed cost - not a floating
number, that can't be controlled easily (that's just their perception).
So I guess my point is - It will never be as rosy as "management" makes the
offer out to be... be very careful and even get the agreement in writing
(if it isn't already spelled out in your office manual). Their expectations
(hours of work per pay period), etc...

If you have to go salary, make sure you "shoot the moon" and be willing to
come down to what you think reasonable. They ALWAYS want to negotiate -
makes them feel like they somehow got a deal too. Put together hard numbers
for "why you are asking for what you want". Show them how you arrived at
that figure (also have back-up materials - time sheets / article related to
salaries in your field + state or region / job description and duties). Just
because you WANT to be "at a certain level by such-and-such age" or that
"that's what you need to cover your bills", these are NOT valid reasons. You
have got to prove your worth if you intend to ask for more.

Typically the big $ jumps come when changing offices (at least in my area).
Most companies only give small increments - unless they are "nudge" to do
so, by competition. Remember there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rules too...

Good Luck!

Dave
Message 12 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Everybody is paid hourly where I'm at. Some get OT and some get straight
time. Depends on if you are exempt or not.
Message 13 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Yes, IF you are not and exempt employee. Basically, if you do not have a
degree (non professional) they must pay you OT. If you have a degree but it
is not in your field, they must pay you OT. If you have a degree in your
field you get paid straight time. BUT, usually the salaried or straight
time employees get a much higher wage and get quarterly bonuses.
Message 14 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Yea my old boss used to do that to me too. No OT pay. One of the main
reasons I left. (and yes illegal) I had a BS and he was only paying me
12/hr and no OT! I once stayed IN THE OFFICE for 2.5 days working on one
big project... with only about 3 hours of sleep at night. (didn't even
drive the 20 minutes home at night) I got a "thanks" on the way out the
door... no bonus.. no OT... bye bye! (not the best business person)

--
Andy Rollins
CAD Manager
Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc.
Message 15 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

🙂 Did the same thing....ONCE (63Hrs). At least you got thanked.

Matt

"Andy Rollins" wrote in message
news:FFB05EC764AA0FDB01E7CF1892A64F17@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Yea my old boss used to do that to me too. No OT pay. One of the main
> reasons I left. (and yes illegal) I had a BS and he was only paying me
> 12/hr and no OT! I once stayed IN THE OFFICE for 2.5 days working on one
> big project... with only about 3 hours of sleep at night. (didn't even
> drive the 20 minutes home at night) I got a "thanks" on the way out the
> door... no bonus.. no OT... bye bye! (not the best business person)
>
> --
> Andy Rollins
> CAD Manager
> Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc.
>
>
Message 16 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

If your BS was in your field, you only get straight time. I wouldn't have
taken a job for 12/hr either. That would be the first red flag.
Message 17 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Hey guys thanks for all the feedback. I'm glad to see I'm not alone here!
Oh and I didn't mean to express that I'm not paid OT. I am given time and
1/2, which is so nice when you work as many hours as myself. I complain
about my job of course, but they take pretty good care of me here. Thanks
again!

--
Andy Rollins
CAD Manager
Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc.
Message 18 of 29
old-cadaver
in reply to: Anonymous

>>Isn't straight time for over 40 hours in a week illegal?<<

Depends on your classification, or rather the classification of your position. "Design", being an intellectual property, finds itself in an odd position pertaining to the wage exemption clause. Our test cases with the federal statutes place many of our senior people (with or without a degree) in "exempt" status, even if doing "production" drawings. "exemot", means they are exempt from the wage law statutes and are not required to be paid "premium" pay for overtime. AS an employer, it would behoove one to get complete clarification of compliance requirements from the governing entity.
Message 19 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

True true. But I was still finishing up my degree with only one class left.
He was just opening his first business... I had zero experience.. it was a
low paying area of NH.. I was desperate to get any experience I could..
many factors. By the time I left 4 years later, I was making 18/hr with
bennies. He became quite dependant on me and it must have hurt him hard
when I left. He needed me to run some roadway revisions after I left and he
had no idea how to do that. I charged him a contract fee of $30/hr for my
time. Ohhh that felt sooo good. 😃 (and really.. 30/hr is cheap.. but
to this guy, it must have been very painful)

--
Andy Rollins
CAD Manager
Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc.
Message 20 of 29
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

RIGHT ON! ok I didn't fully understand your prior situation. I understand
completely now.
If you do lots of contracting, don't forget to pay your taxes! The avg rate
for outsourcing a staight CAD drafter in the DC area is around $35/hr. More
if you use an agency.

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