We are a large custom cabinet shop in the Seattle Area (50% Residential, 50% Commercial) and have been trying to hire MV Drafters/Project Engineers for quite some time.

We have not had much success in finding talented individuals, and we are concerned our current staff may be thinking about leaving.

Our Project Engineers perfrom the Drafting (Approval Drawings), Shop Documents & Drawings/ Cutlists and also perform some project management duties like meeting with Clients/Contractors and going onsite for taking field dimensions.

We would like to know if our salary rates for these positions are up to current market standards. Currently we are paying our top engineers $45-50K Annual + benefits,  and for starting salaries we are offering $30-40K. For a major market like Seattle, is this reasonable or should we be offering more to find qualified people?

 What is your pay range and market for comparison?

 Thanks.

I work for a custom window shop up in Everett. I think your starting salaries are correct for what we call a designer, someone who does drafting/cutlist creation. If you are expecting them to do project management duties also, then I think your starting salary is a little low, should probably be more around what you're paying your top guys.

Barent,

Not being an expert in your area or having knowledge in what other companies may pay their employees I can only offer this.

In my mind, the Seattle area seems to be a hub for engineering in general. With the aviation and computer industries in your back yard, competition for good employees is strong to say the least. One would have to believe to get top hands you'll have to pay top dollar. Perhaps you should research what the the other industries pay for their "CAD" operators.

The other thing to keep in mind is just because a person can draw with AutoCAD doesn't necessarily make them a good candidate for MV. The reason being is this person should have some knowledge of cabinet making. When I took the current job I know have, I spent a good month on the production floor to learn methods and terminology. Even as an experienced woodworker such as I am I still had much to learn in the production of cabinets.

So with all that said I can only offer this one sure word of advise. If you have good employees that you don't want to loose, tie them to their job with the "golden handcuffs".

Good luck

Russ