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.

• 9% —– Low Workload
• 31% —– Moderate Workload
• 26% —– Heavy Workload
• 8% —– Excessive Workload

View the Fluke report here.

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