Electronics Weekly has published a three-part
article detailing the results of what they call the "largest ever national survey of
salary levels in the UK electronics industry." Represented sectors include design &
development (D&D), sales & marketing (S&M), senior engineering & management,
technical management, research and development (R&D), and test & measurement
(T&M). With more than 1,000 respondents as a sample, it indicates that the average
pay is up 2.5% over the last year. This reflects what is generally considered an improved
manufacturing situation in the country. Over a third (37%) of the participants represent
the D&D engineering sector, and that group (along with R&D and T&M engineers
- 14% total) reported earnings at less than the industry average of £46,321 ($79,447US).
As usual, sales and management is where the big bucks (pounds in this case) are. At £44,415
($76,102), D&D averages £4k less than sales & management.
When rated by industry sector, the survey found that engineers, sales staff and managers
working in the communications, components, and consumer realms are the most highly paid
with an average salary level of £52,594 (£6,000/yr greater than the average). Average
salaries are £42,161 per annumin for the defence and aerospace industries, and a mere
£39,857 in design and manufacturing services. Working for a large company (>500 employees)
typically means in excess of £5k higher pay when performing the same duties as a worker
in a smaller company. Age, and with it experience, is a big determiner of compensation
level as well.
Due to my ignorance of the UK health care system,
I was surprised to read this: "The most common employment benefits were healthcare plans,
performance related bonuses and flexi-time. However, you are more likely to be receiving
a health plan benefit if you are working in sales and marketing role, than if you are
in a development engineering role." I was under the impression that everyone was compelled
to participate solely in the National Healthcare Service (NHS)* and that everyone
was taxed accordingly - aka 'single-payer.' I would be interested to hear from any of
you blokes (or blokesses) about how that works.
If you work in a region South East of England, which includes the Home Counties with
Hampshire, Wiltshire, Gloucester and Oxfordshire, your average salary level should be
more than 8% above the national average. The highest average salary of £50,228 is in
the South East. The report did not specify specifically what the average engineering
salary is in
Peterhead, on the northeast coast.
The magazine write-up does not tell what the calculated margin of error is based on
sample size, but the full report might. The full report can be obtained from the good
folks at Electronics Weekly by going to their
request page and sending them your email. It is free for the asking,
but you do need to agree to get communications from
European Recruitment and other
third parties of their choosing.
* Try finding the phrase "National Healthcare Service" on the
NHS website; I could not find it anywhere.
Here is a list of current engineering
jobs listed on RF Cafe.
Posted July 3, 2014
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