r/ChemicalEngineering • u/PreparationSmall8048 • Feb 28 '25
Salary EPC Salaries
Hi, I’ve been working at my licensing EPC firm for 3 yrs now. I’m not sure if I want to stay in this industry, my company doesn’t have many growth opportunities unless you have 7-8 YOE and the only route seems to be the technical SME route or maybe PM, with a salary cap at about 180k and that’s with 20-30 YOE. My personal goal would to reach that range sooner. I like what I do, but I think I would like to eventually move away from a dense technical role and being PM or going into leadership, but I feel like that would only be attainable around 6-7YOE.
Curious, if you have experience working at an EPC what has your salary progression been with your YOE. Do you anticipate to stay in this industry? Have you found a better role that works you?
I was hired after getting my Master’s degree, so technically putting me at 4 YOE. I started at 94k and am now at 110k with no bonuses offered. Located in Midwest.
4
u/ahfmca Feb 28 '25
EPC salaries are higher than other industries because they operate in a hire and fire mode, the nature of their cyclical business, and have to pay top dollar to attract talent. SME is a safer better bet career wise than PM generally and can even pay more. BUT most EPC work has been shifting to India and China and even the Middle East over the past decades as low cost centers, so the future looks bleak. I would try to stay clear and look elsewhere. BTW a masters is only advantageous for your first job and fades in later years.