THE INTERESTING RESULTS FROM FLUKE 2018 CALIBRATION AND METROLOGY COMPENSATION SURVEY
The results from the Fluke 2018 Calibration and Metrology Compensation survey are in and interesting changes within the past year can be noted. According to Fluke’s 17 question survey, data from this year is differing drastically.
CHANGES SEEN IN 2018
This year’s survey differed from last by including Associates and Technical degrees into its education mix. Results show that 49% of respondents to this year’s survey reported these degree types as their highest level of education.
Female respondents in this year’s survey grew by 5 points, representing 11% of all respondents in 2018.
The 2018 average reported yearly pay is showing hope for potential growth. In 2017, the average response to year pay was “less than $50,000.” This year, the most reported category was “$65,000 – *$80,000.” These results are promising for the future of compensation in the calibration and metrology field.
There was also growth in number of calibrations performed per year. In 2017, only 22% of respondents reported performing “less than 1,000 calibrations per year.” In 2018, this selection shrank by 9% and the “5,000 to 10,000 calibrations per year” category grew by 8 points to 26%. The “more than 10,000” category also grew this year by 4 points resulting in being the most-reported category at 34%.
Changes were also seen in the highest-paid industries reported. In 2017, the highest-paid included “Process Industries,” “Electrical Power Generation,” “Transportation and Distribution,” and “Pharmaceutical.” In 2018, both “Electrical Power Generation,” and “Transportation and Distribution,” were reported to have salaries that were 13% higher than last year. New industries also emerged into the highest-paid industry category this year, such as “Other Healthcare” and “Defense Contractor.”
COMPENSATION RESULTS
LAB TYPES REPORT
According to the 2018 survey results, median pay ranges were similar among all lab types.
Commercial labs were reported to have a median compensation range of $74,245.
Private labs were reported to have a median compensation range of $74, 068.
Government labs were reported to have a median compensation range of $80,000.
The 2018 survey indicated year-over-year growth in Government labs median pay ranges.
ORGANIZATION TYPES REPORT
35% —— Manufacturer Metrology/ Test Group or Lab —– $73,663
25% —— Industrial/Field Test Laboratory —– $69,254
29% —— Other Laboratory or Professional Metrology Group —– $78,642
11% —— Primary Standards Lab —– $85,157
1% —— National Metrology Institute —– $78,642
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND REPORT
With the addition of “Associates” and “Technical Degree” added to this year’s education mix, results are likely more accurate for 2018 than they were for 2017. Close to half of respondents this year reported a “Technical Degree.”
19% —— High School Diploma —– $64,918
49% —— Associates or Technical Degree —– $73,078
25% —— College Degree (BA, BS) —– $83,669
7% —— Master’s Degree (MS, MBA) —– $86,594
GEOGRAPHIC REGION REPORT
In 2018, pay across regions fell between $65,001 and $95,000. The East South Central region and the West South Central region showed noticeable year-over-year growth in average salary. The East South Central grew by 9% and the West South Central grew by 6%.
Pacific Region —– $84,000
Mountain West Region —– $80,192
West North Central Region —– $69,396
West South Central Region —– $70,455
East North Central Region —– $71,665
East South Central Region —– $71,964
South Atlantic Region —– $75,064
New England Region —– $78,500
YEARS IN METROLOGY REPORT
In 2018, reports show that the more years in the calibration and metrology service, the higher the compensation is. Over the last year, the “More than 25 Years” category showed year-over-year growth and increased by 3%. The salary ranges for the “0 to 5 years” category have seemed to decrease slightly this year. The other categories remain flat.
The estimated average salary for “0 to 5 years” is $58,632.
The estimated average salary for “6 to 15 years” is $70,787.
The estimated average salary for “16 to 25 years” is $74,870.
The estimated average salary for “More than 25 years” is $84,827.
CALIBRATION VOLUME REPORT
The year-over-year comparison indicates that there is no apparent correlation between the number of calibrations performed yearly and the average salaries reported. However, labs that reported over 10,000 calibrations per year did show higher paying salaries than other groups.
The estimated average salary for less than 1,000 calibrations per year is $70,756.
The estimated average salary for 1,000 to 5,000 calibrations per year is $76,235.
The estimated average salary for 5,000 to 10,000 calibrations per year is $69,085
The estimated average salary for more than 10,000 calibrations per year is $79,697
GENDER REPORT
This year’s survey indicated evidence of disparity -women average of 15% less average pay than men. However, government labs showed women earning approximately 10% more than men in that category. The biggest disparity was visible among job titles such as Department Manager.
89% of survey respondents were Male, while 11% of respondents were Female. /li>
Male estimated average salaries based off of their years in metrology were as follows:/li>
0 to 5 years —– $58,632
6 to 15 years —– $71,320
16 to 25 years —– $76,995
More than 25 years —– $85,791
Female estimated average salaries based off of their years in metrology were as follows:
0 to 5 years —– $53,750
6 to 15 years —– $66,667
16 to 25 years —– $56,136
More than 25 years —– $74,643
JOB ROLE REPORT
Calibration Engineers reported an average salary range of $80,001- $95,000.
Calibration Technicians reported an average salary range of $50,000 – $65,000.
Department Managers reported an average salary range of $80,001 – $95,000.
Engineer Other reported an average salary range of $80,001 – $95,000.
Executive Management reported an average salary range of $95,001 – $110,000.
Metrologists reported an average salary range of $65,001 – $80,000.
Other Not Listed reported an average salary range of $50,001 – $65,000.
Sales/Marketing reported an average salary range of $80,001 – $95,000.
HOURLY VS. SALARY
The 2018 survey asked a questions this year to determine if there is any benefit to being a salary paid employee or an hourly paid employee. Results show that salary paid employees benefit over employees paid hourly. 60% of respondents were hourly employee and 34% were salary paid employees. The 34% of salary paid employees average a higher pay than those who were paid hourly.
Hourly Pay Bracket —– $65,001 – $80,000
Salary Pay Bracket —– $80,001 – $95,000
HIGHEST PAID INDUSTRIES REPORT
The highest paid industries in the 2018 survey consisted of the following:
Defense Contractor —- $85,172
Electrical Power Generation, Transportation and Distribution —– $93,929
Other Healthcare —– $90,500
Process Industries (not oil and gas) —– $85,000
LOWEST PAID INDUSTRIES REPORT
The lowest paid industries in the 2018 survey consisted of the following:
Distributors/Procurement —– $57,500
Independent Testing Labs —– $57,500
Oil and Gas —– $60,500
Other Manufacturing —– $66,406
WORKLOAD REPORT
The 2018 survey showed that most respondents reported heavy workloads but not excessive.