THE ASSOCIATION OF

PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERS, SCIENTISTS
& MANAGERS,
AUSTRALIA

2010
GRADUATE
ENGINEER
EMPLOYMENT
SURVEY REPORT
2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA
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 ABOUT THE SURVEY & TERMS USED

The 2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey was conducted during June 2010 using a sample drawn from the
graduate engineer membership of the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia.

Over 8,000 invitations to participate were forwarded to recent graduates in all disciplines, including engineering.
346 completed questionnaires were returned by recent graduates in engineering and have been used as the
basis for this report.

TERMS USED

Commencing salary refers to the base salary received by an incumbent engineer and excludes payments such
as compulsory superannuation employer contributions (SGC), and award allowances.

For the purposes of salary analysis, the following statistics were used:
• Percentile 10 - the value below which 10% of observations were recorded.
• Percentile 25 - the value below which 25% of observations were recorded.
• Percentile 50 - the value below which 50% of observations were recorded.
• Percentile 75 - the value below which 75% of observations were recorded.
• Percentile 90 - the value below which 90% of observations were recorded.
• Mean - the sum of individual salary values divided by the number of observations.

INDEX

SUBJECT PAGE
Section 1 - Employment Status .................................................................................................................... 3
Employment Status - 2008-10 Graduates combined ........................................................................................ 3
Employment Status - 2008 v 2009 Graduates .................................................................................................. 3
Employment Status by Gender ........................................................................................................................ 3
Employment Status by Country of Birth ........................................................................................................... 4
Willingness to Relocate ................................................................................................................................... 4
Number of Engineering Positions Applied For .................................................................................................. 4
Employment Status by State/Territory .............................................................................................................. 5
Employment as Professional Engineer by State/Territory ................................................................................. 5
Employment Status by University .................................................................................................................... 6
Employment Status by Engineering Discipline ................................................................................................. 7
Proportion of Graduates Employed as Professional Engineers by Discipline ................................................... 7
Section 2 - Salaries ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Commencing Salaries by Year of Commencement .......................................................................................... 8
Median Commencing Salaries by Year of Commencement .............................................................................. 8
Mean Graduate Commencing Salary v Average Weekly Earnings .................................................................... 8
Commencing Salaries by Year of Commencement by Gender ......................................................................... 9
2010 Commencing Salaries by Engineering Discipline ..................................................................................... 9
2009 Commencing Salaries by Engineering Discipline ..................................................................................... 9
2008 Commencing Salaries by Engineering Discipline ..................................................................................... 9
Median Commencing Salaries by Engineering Discipline ................................................................................10
Commencing Salaries by Engineering Discipline by State/Territory ................................................................. 11
Distribution of Engineering Salaries by State/Territory ..................................................................................... 12
Commencing Salaries by State/Territory Location ........................................................................................... 12
Commencing Salaries by Capital City Location .............................................................................................. 12
Commencing Salaries by Engineering Disclipine by State ..............................................................................13
Commencing Salaries by Employment Sector ................................................................................................13
Commencing Salaries by Industry ..................................................................................................................13
Section 3 - Graduate Commentary ............................................................................................................. 14

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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 SECTION 1 – EMPLOYMENT STATUS

GRAPH 1.1 – EMPLOYMENT STATUS – 2008-2010 GRADUATES COMBINED

100
The proportion of engineers who graduated in
the previous two years and subsequently
80
gained employment in engineering positions
has risen slightly over the last 12 months.
60
%
Comparison with the 2009 APESMA
Graduate Engineer Employment Survey
40 77.6 Report reveals a small rise in overall graduate
engineering employment in engineering
20 positions from 76.4% to 77.6%.

9.1 6.9 6.3

0
Employed as Employed other Not working Further study
prof engineer seeking
engineering work
Employment status

GRAPH 1.2 – EMPLOYMENT STATUS – 2008 v 2009 GRADUATES

100
The vast majority of engineering graduates
continue to secure work as a professional
80 engineer within the first two years of graduation.

2009 It can be seen that the recent economic

60 2008
slowdown has impacted on employment
%
86.9 rates of graduate engineers, with employment
40 78 rates for those graduating in 2009 much lower
than those graduating a year earler.
20
5.1 5.6 Whilst it is normal to expect employment
1
9 7.3 7.1 rates to be lower in the most recent
0
Employed as Employed Not working Further study graduating year due to the shorter period
prof engineer Other seeking available for employment searches, the size
engineering of the disparity was much greater than the
work
usual 5-7% difference.
Employment status

TABLE 1.1 – EMPLOYMENT STATUS BY GENDER – 2008-2010 GRADUATES COMBINED

Male Female
Sample % Sample % Employment patterns were
Employed as a professional 206 78.0% 39 75.0% broadly similar for male and
female engineering graduates.
Employed not as a engineer but seeking engineering work 23 8.7% 5 9.6%
Employed not as a engineer and not seeking engineer work 1 .4% 0 .0%

Not working but seeking professional engineer work 19 7.2% 3 5.8%

Undertaking further study 15 5.7% 5 9.6%
Total 264 100.0% 52 100.0%

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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 TABLE 1.2 – EMPLOYMENT STATUS BY COUNTRY OF BIRTH – 2008-2010 GRADUATES COMBINED

Australian-born engineering graduates Australia Overseas

continue to enjoy a comparative advantage N % N %
in securing employment as professional
Employed as a professional engineer 183 87.6% 61 58.1%
engineers over their overseas-born
counterparts. Employed not as a professional engineer but
12 5.7% 16 15.2%
seeking engineer work
The level of unemployment of overseas-born Employed not as a professional engineer and
0 .0% 1 1.0%
not seeking engineering work
engineering graduates continues to be much
higher than that of Australian-born graduates, Not working but
6 2.9% 15 14.3%
the recent economic slowdown raising the seeking engineering work
proportion of overseas born engineering Undertaking further study 8 3.8% 12 11.4%
graduates seeking engineering work to Total 209 100% 105 100%
around 30%.

The survey revealed the proportion of Australian-born engineering graduates seeking engineering work was much
lower at 8.6%.

GRAPH 1.3 – WILLINGNESS TO RELOCATE – 2008-2010 GRADUATES COMBINED

The proportion of graduate engineer respondents 100

willing to work either interstate or overseas rose from
61.2% in 2009 to 63.6% in 2010. 80

Whilst the proportion willing to relocate within Australia

has remained relatively steady (16% compared to 60
13.3% last year), the proportion willing to move %
overseas has fallen slightly from 9.1% in 2009 to 8% 40
this year. 63.6

20
The result is likely to reflect the deteriorated economic
conditions pushing respondents to consider work 16 12.5
8
whereverver the work is available - locally or overseas, 0
Interstate Overseas Either Unwilling
contributing to the increase in the category of
respondents willing to work either intertate or overseas. Willingness to relocate

GRAPH 1.4 – NUMBER OF ENGINEERING POSITIONS APPLIED FOR – 2008-2010 GRADUATES COMBINED

The search for the first professional engineering 50

position continues to require dedication as nearly half
(45.6%) of engineering graduates who were
40
successful in obtaining work as professional engineers
applied for more than 10 positions before achieving
success. 30
%
41.7% of graduates found their first engineering 20
position with five or fewer applications compared to 32.8
44.2% a year earlier. 21
10
12.7 13.4
Recent engineering graduates continue to voice their 8.9 6.4 4.8
concern over the paradoxical problem associated with 0
None 1 to 5 6 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 50 51 to Over
applying for positions where employers demand 100 100
relevant experience. Number of positions applied for prior to success

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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 TABLE 1.3 – EMPLOYMENT STATUS BY STATE/TERRITORY
2008-2010 GRADUATES COMBINED (NSW, VIC, QLD & SA)

NSW VIC QLD SA

Sample % Sample % Sample % Sample %
Employed as a professional 90 78.9% 52 75.4% 44 81.5% 15 75.0%
Employed not as a professional - seeking professional work 8 7.0% 9 13.0% 0 .0% 2 10.0%
Employed not as a professional - not seeking prof work 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 1.9% 0 .0%
Not working but seeking professional work 8 7.0% 5 7.2% 3 5.6% 1 5.0%
Undertaking further study 8 7.0% 3 4.3% 6 11.1% 2 10.0%
Total 114 100.0% 69 100.0% 54 100.0% 20 100.0%

TABLE 1.3 (cont.) – EMPLOYMENT STATUS BY STATE/TERRITORY

2008-2010 GRADUATES COMBINED (WA, ACT, TAS & NT)
WA ACT TAS NT
Sample % Sample % Sample % Sample %
Employed as a professional 26 66.7% 8 88.9% 8 100.0% 3 75.0%
Employed not as a professional - seeking professional work 7 17.9% 1 11.1% 0 .0% 1 25.0%
Not working but seeking professional work 5 12.8% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
Undertaking further study 1 2.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
Total 39 100.0% 9 100.0% 8 100.0% 4 100.0%

GRAPH 1.5 – EMPLOYMENT AS PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER BY STATE/TERRITORY

2008-2010 GRADUATES COMBINED

100

80

60

%
NSW
40 VIC
QLD
SA
WA
20 OTHER

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Graph 1.5 shows Queensland, New South Wales and the smaller states/territories of ACT, TAS & NT combined
having the highest levels of graduate engineer employment.

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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 TABLE 1.4 – EMPLOYMENT STATUS BY UNIVERSITY – ALL 2008-2010 ENGINEERING GRADUATES

Employed not as Employed not as a

Not working but
Employed as a a professional - professional - Undertaking
seeking
professional seeking not seeking prof further study
professional work
professional work work
Sample % Sample % Sample % Sample % Sample %
University of Melbourne 3 75.0% 1 25.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
Monash University 28 84.8% 4 12.1% 0 .0% 1 3.0% 0 .0%
RMIT University 8 61.5% 2 15.4% 0 .0% 2 15.4% 1 7.7%
Victoria University of Technology 4 57.1% 2 28.6% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 14.3%
Swinburne University of Technology 7 87.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 12.5% 0 .0%
LaTrobe University 1 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
Deakin University 1 50.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 50.0% 0 .0%
University of NSW 22 73.3% 3 10.0% 0 .0% 3 10.0% 2 6.7%
University of Technology, Sydney 22 84.6% 2 7.7% 0 .0% 1 3.8% 1 3.8%
University of Sydney 28 84.8% 1 3.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 4 12.1%
University of Western Sydney 7 70.0% 1 10.0% 0 .0% 2 20.0% 0 .0%
University of Wollongong 13 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
University of Newcastle 6 60.0% 1 10.0% 0 .0% 2 20.0% 1 10.0%
Australian National University 3 75.0% 1 25.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
University of South Australia 4 57.1% 1 14.3% 0 .0% 1 14.3% 1 14.3%
University of Adelaide 13 81.3% 2 12.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 6.3%
Flinders University 3 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
University of Western Australia 10 71.4% 2 14.3% 0 .0% 2 14.3% 0 .0%
Curtin University of Technology 11 57.9% 4 21.1% 0 .0% 3 15.8% 1 5.3%
University of Queensland 23 79.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 3.4% 5 17.2%
Queensland University of Technology 9 90.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 10.0%
University of Southern Queensland 3 75.0% 0 .0% 1 25.0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
Griffith University 1 33.3% 0 .0% 0 .0% 2 66.7% 0 .0%
James Cook University 1 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
University of Central Queensland 4 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
University of Tasmania 8 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
Northern Territory University 1 100.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 0 .0%
Other Australian Institution 2 50.0% 1 25.0% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 25.0%
Total 246 77.6% 28 8.8% 1 .3% 22 6.9% 20 6.3%

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TABLE 1.5 – EMPLOYMENT STATUS BY ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE – ALL 2008-2010 GRADUATES

Employed not as a Employed not as Not working

Employed as a professional - a professional - but seeking Undertaking
professional seeking not seeking professional further study
professional work prof work work
Sample % Sample % Sample % Sample % Sample %
Aeronautical/Aerospace 8 72.7% 2 18.2% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 9.1%
Chemical 9 47.4% 5 26.3% 0 .0% 3 15.8% 2 10.5%
Civil/Structural 56 86.2% 2 3.1% 0 .0% 4 6.2% 3 4.6%
Computer Systems/Info Technology 10 62.5% 1 6.3% 0 .0% 2 12.5% 3 18.8%
Electrical 40 83.3% 6 12.5% 0 .0% 2 4.2% 0 .0%
Electromechanical/Mechatronics 16 88.9% 0 .0% 1 5.6% 0 .0% 1 5.6%
Electronic/Communication 5 62.5% 1 12.5% 0 .0% 2 25.0% 0 .0%
Environmental 14 87.5% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 6.3% 1 6.3%
Mechanical 54 78.3% 6 8.7% 0 .0% 6 8.7% 3 4.3%
Combination engineering 13 86.7% 1 6.7% 0 .0% 0 .0% 1 6.7%
Other Engineering 21 65.6% 4 12.5% 0 .0% 2 6.3% 5 15.6%
Total 246 77.6% 28 8.8% 1 .3% 22 6.9% 20 6.3%

GRAPHS 1.6, 1.7 & 1.8 – PROPORTION OF GRADUATE ENGINEERS EMPLOYED AS PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERS BY MAJOR DISCIPLINES

The graphs below demonstrate changes in levels of professional engineer employment for new graduates since
1995 for the larger engineering discipline groups.

GRAPH 1.6 - CIVIL ENGINEERING GRAPH 1.7 - ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

100 100

75 75

% 50 % 50

25 25

0 0
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010

1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010

GRAPH 1.8 - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

100

75

% 50

25

0
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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 SECTION 2 – SALARIES

TABLE 2.1 – COMMENCING SALARIES BY YEAR OF COMMENCEMENT

Sample Percentile 10 Percentile 25 Median Percentile 75 Percentile 90 Mean

2010 103 50,000 51,200 56,000 61,500 74,300 58,584
2009 91 48,840 51,000 55,000 60,000 67,000 56,636
2008 38 48,480 53,000 56,000 62,000 83,000 61,767
Total 232 49,800 51,600 55,630 60,750 74,000 58,342

GRAPH 2.1 – MEDIAN COMMENCING SALARIES BY YEAR OF COMMENCEMENT

60,000

50,000

40,000
$ per annum

30,000
55,000 55,008 55,630
47,000 49,000
42,000 43,875
20,000 37,000 39,000 39,000 40,000
35,000 35,943

10,000

0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Year of commencement

TABLE 2.2 – MEAN GRADUATE COMMENCING SALARY V AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS

Mean Average % of
Commencing Salary Weekly Earnings AWE Table 2.2 shows graduate engineers can
expect to earn about 89.5% of the level of
1995 $33,147 $33,900 97.8 Australia-wide Average Weekly Earnings*
1996 $33,444 $34,800 96.1 upon commencement as a professional
1997 $35,735 $36,200 98.7 engineer.
1998 $35,515 $37,600 94.4
1999 $36,181 $38,865 93.1 (* Source: Average Weekly Earnings
States and Territories, 6302.0, Australian
2000 $37,055 $40,221 92.1
Bureau of Statistics - May 2010).
2001 $40,163 $42,249 95.1
2002 $40,423 $44,279 91.3
2003 $41,595 $46,942 88.6
2004 $42,548 $49,459 86.0
2005 $44,789 $51,641 86.7
2006 $47,896 $53,970 88.7
2007 $51,784 $56,706 91.3
2008 $55,243 $58,988 93.6
2009 $57,106 $62,390 91.5
2010 $58,584 $65,453 89.5

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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 TABLE 2.3 – COMMENCING SALARIES BY YEAR OF COMMENCEMENT BY GENDER

Sample Percentile 10 Percentile 25 Median Percentile 75 Percentile 90 Mean

Male 88 50,000 50,525 55,830 62,565 74,566 58,731
2010
Female 15 50,000 52,700 56,000 60,000 65,000 57,727
Male 74 49,800 51,000 55,000 60,000 67,101 56,872
2009
Female 16 48,000 49,420 55,227 60,000 65,000 55,838
Male 29 50,000 54,534 57,000 75,000 85,000 64,253
2008
Female 9 47,000 51,000 55,309 56,000 60,000 53,757

TABLE 2.4 – 2010 COMMENCING SALARIES BY ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE – ALL STATES

Sample Percentile 10 Percentile 25 Median Percentile 75 Percentile 90 Mean

Aeronautical/Aerospace 7 50,000 55,400 56,600 69,300 69,300 59,894
Civil/Structural 18 50,000 51,000 53,837 59,000 84,000 56,357
Computer Systems/Info Technology 3 45,000 45,000 49,000 67,000 67,000 53,667
Electrical 17 50,050 55,000 58,000 64,000 76,776 60,844
Electromechanical/Mechatronics 7 36,697 42,000 56,866 60,000 82,000 54,986
Environmental 4 55,000 56,500 61,250 78,250 92,000 67,375
Mechanical 28 50,000 51,900 58,000 63,000 80,797 60,265
Combination engineering 5 50,000 52,000 55,600 56,000 74,000 57,520
Other Engineering 10 45,750 50,000 57,500 60,500 62,250 55,150
Total 103 50,000 51,200 56,000 61,500 74,300 58,584

TABLE 2.5 – 2009 COMMENCING SALARIES BY ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE – ALL STATES

Sample Percentile 10 Percentile 25 Median Percentile 75 Percentile 90 Mean

Chemical 4 40,000 43,000 49,465 58,965 65,000 50,983
Civil/Structural 24 49,000 51,000 54,750 57,500 60,000 54,888
Computer Systems/Info Technology 3 40,000 40,000 54,000 60,000 60,000 51,333
Electrical 17 50,000 52,000 55,909 63,000 67,101 57,462
Electromechanical/Mechatronics 7 50,000 50,500 57,500 58,000 86,000 58,857
Environmental 6 48,700 48,840 50,000 54,000 56,420 51,327
Mechanical 15 50,000 51,000 60,000 65,000 68,000 59,000
Combination engineering 6 50,000 53,000 56,727 58,000 72,000 57,742
Other Engineering 7 46,000 50,000 60,000 78,000 80,000 62,887
Total 91 48,840 51,000 55,000 60,000 67,000 56,636

TABLE 2.6 – 2008 COMMENCING SALARIES BY ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE – ALL STATES

Sample Percentile 10 Percentile 25 Median Percentile 75 Percentile 90 Mean

Chemical 3 47,000 47,000 48,480 62,000 62,000 52,493
Civil/Structural 7 52,000 54,534 54,534 56,000 59,400 55,286
Electrical 8 51,000 55,155 59,176 70,000 83,000 62,833
Electromechanical/Mechatronics 3 48,000 48,000 53,000 57,000 57,000 52,667
Environmental 3 54,000 54,000 56,000 56,000 56,000 55,333
Mechanical 7 50,000 53,000 76,000 85,000 120,000 73,571
Other Engineering 4 43,000 50,250 66,250 95,000 115,000 72,625
Total 38 48,480 53,000 56,000 62,000 83,000 61,767

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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 GRAPH 2.2 – MEDIAN COMMENCING SALARY 2000-2010 – CIVIL ENGINEERING*
55,000

50,000

45,000

$ per annum
40,000
55,000 53,837
52,500
35,000
47,000
42,250 43,750
30,000 39,825
36,600 37,500
34,050 35,000
25,000

20,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

GRAPH 2.3 – MEDIAN COMMENCING SALARY 2000-2010 – ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING*

60,000

55,000

50,000

45,000
$ per annum

40,000
57,000 56,956 58,000
35,000 50,000
48,000 49,500
44,000 45,000
30,000 40,000 40,650
38,000

25,000

20,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

GRAPH 2.4 – MEDIAN COMMENCING SALARY 2000-2010 – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING*

60,000

55,000

50,000

45,000
$ per annum

40,000
58,000
55,000 56,007
35,000 49,000
43,000 44,000 45,800
30,000 40,000 41,000
37,000 38,000
25,000

20,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

GRAPH 2.5 – MEDIAN COMMENCING SALARY 2000-2010 – OTHER ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES*

60,000

55,000

50,000
* graphs shown
45,000 represent
$ per annum

responses for
the year in which
40,000
57,500 the survey was
55,000 53,500
53,000 conducted
35,000
44,000 45,250
42,000 42,083 42,500
30,000 40,000
38,000

25,000

20,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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 TABLE 2.7 – ENGINEERING GRADUATES COMPLETING STUDIES IN 2008, 2009 OR 2010
SALARY BY ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE BY STATE/TERRITORY

Percentile Percentile Percentile Percentile

Sample Median Mean
10 25 75 90
Civil/Structural 19 45,000 53,211 57,000 60,000 75,000 57,688
Computer Systems/Info Technology 8 40,000 47,000 56,250 63,500 70,000 55,438
Electrical 17 51,000 54,600 60,000 65,000 76,776 61,280
Electromechanical/Mechatronics 4 36,697 43,349 51,000 54,500 57,000 48,924
NSW Environmental 6 54,000 55,000 56,000 80,000 92,000 65,500
Mechanical 20 43,500 52,650 60,000 70,500 82,898 61,705
Combination engineering 5 53,000 55,454 56,000 58,000 60,000 56,491
Other Engineering 5 44,000 47,500 56,210 64,000 115,000 65,342
Total 88 45,000 52,965 56,800 64,000 76,776 59,555
Aeronautical/Aerospace 3 55,660 55,660 69,300 69,300 69,300 64,753
Civil/Structural 12 50,000 51,000 53,731 55,000 57,000 53,705
Electrical 7 50,000 50,050 55,000 65,000 65,000 56,864
VIC Electromechanical/Mechatronics 3 42,000 42,000 56,866 57,500 57,500 52,122
Mechanical 13 50,000 50,000 51,200 55,000 67,200 54,424
Other Engineering 6 43,000 46,000 50,000 55,000 60,000 50,667
Total 51 48,480 50,000 53,000 56,866 65,000 54,333
Chemical 3 62,000 62,000 64,222 65,000 65,000 63,741
Civil/Structural 16 51,000 53,000 54,500 57,700 65,000 56,900
Electrical 6 51,000 55,000 55,655 59,800 62,130 56,540
QLD Electromechanical/Mechatronics 3 50,000 50,000 57,340 60,000 60,000 55,780
Mechanical 9 55,000 60,000 60,000 65,000 81,000 64,033
Other Engineering 4 50,000 53,750 59,000 60,500 60,500 57,125
Total 43 50,000 54,000 57,000 60,500 65,000 58,442
Combination engineering 3 52,000 52,000 55,600 58,000 58,000 55,200
SA
Total 14 46,000 49,800 52,000 56,420 60,000 52,538
Civil/Structural 3 49,000 49,000 60,000 66,000 66,000 58,333
Electromechanical/Mechatronics 4 58,000 58,000 70,000 84,000 86,000 71,000
Environmental 3 50,000 50,000 54,000 58,000 58,000 54,000
WA
Mechanical 5 37,000 58,000 60,000 68,000 85,000 61,600
Other Engineering 4 60,000 67,500 76,500 79,000 80,000 73,250
Total 26 50,000 57,000 60,000 75,000 85,000 63,942
ACT Total 5 51,000 52,500 55,400 60,000 68,561 57,492
Civil/Structural 3 54,534 54,534 54,534 54,534 54,534 54,534
TAS Electrical 3 55,909 55,909 56,500 58,000 58,000 56,803
Total 8 50,500 54,534 55,221 57,250 70,000 56,814
NT Total 3 48,000 48,000 55,000 58,000 58,000 53,667

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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 GRAPH 2.6 – ENGINEERS GRADUATING IN 2008-2010 – DISTRIBUTION OF COMMENCING SALARIES BY STATE

90,000
NSW
80,000 Victoria
Queensland
SA
70,000 WA

$ per annum
60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000
10 25 50 75 90
Percentile

TABLE 2.8 – GRADUATE ENGINEERS COMMENCING IN 2009 & 2010

SALARIES BY STATE/TERRITORY LOCATION
Sample Percentile 10 Percentile 25 Median Percentile 75 Percentile 90 Mean
Capital city 52 45,000 51,500 55,000 60,000 64,000 55,080
NSW
Regional 15 55,000 58,000 64,000 76,776 84,000 66,172
Capital city 41 48,840 50,000 53,000 55,660 61,000 54,046
VIC
Regional 4 50,000 50,000 59,650 69,300 69,300 59,650
Capital city 22 50,000 53,000 57,170 62,130 65,000 57,509
QLD
Regional 12 50,000 54,750 57,900 67,400 81,000 61,633
SA Capital city 12 48,700 49,900 52,000 56,010 60,000 53,186
Capital city 14 50,000 57,000 58,000 60,000 68,000 58,643
WA
Regional 8 49,000 72,000 81,000 85,500 89,500 76,938
ACT Capital city 5 51,000 52,500 55,400 60,000 68,561 57,492
TAS Capital city 4 50,500 53,205 56,204 57,250 58,000 55,227
NT Capital city 3 48,000 48,000 55,000 58,000 58,000 53,667
Total 194 49,800 51,000 55,427 60,500 69,300 57,671

GRAPH 2.7 – GRADUATE ENGINEERS COMMENCING IN 2009 & 2010 – MEDIAN COMMENCING SALARIES
BY CAPITAL CITY LOCATION

60,000
Graduate engineers employed in Perth
55,000 reported the highest median
commencing salaries, whilst, of the
50,000 large population centres, those
$ per annum

graduated engineers commencing

45,000
employment in Adelaide reported the
58,000 57,150 lowest starting salaries on average.
40,000 55,568 55,000
53,000 52,000
35,000

30,000

25,000
Perth Brisbane Other Sydney Melbourne Adelaide
City

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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 TABLE 2.9 – ENGINEERING GRADUATES COMMENCING IN 2009 & 2010
SALARY BY ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE BY STATE

Percentile Percentile Percentile Percentile

Sample Median Mean
10 25 75 90
Biomedical 4 44,000 45,750 51,855 60,105 64,000 52,927
Civil/Structural 15 45,000 53,211 56,000 60,000 61,500 55,765
Computer Systems/Info Technology 5 40,000 45,000 49,000 60,000 67,000 52,200
Electrical 15 51,000 54,000 60,000 65,000 67,101 60,251
NSW
Electromechanical/Mechatronics 3 36,697 36,697 50,000 52,000 52,000 46,232
Environmental 3 54,000 54,000 55,000 92,000 92,000 67,000
Mechanical 15 50,000 52,700 60,000 65,000 80,797 60,806
Combination engineering 3 53,000 53,000 55,454 56,000 56,000 54,818
Aeronautical/Aerospace 3 55,660 55,660 69,300 69,300 69,300 64,753
Civil/Structural 11 50,000 51,000 54,463 55,000 57,000 53,860
VIC Electrical 6 50,000 50,050 53,500 61,000 65,000 55,508
Electromechanical/Mechatronics 3 42,000 42,000 56,866 57,500 57,500 52,122
Mechanical 11 50,000 50,000 51,000 55,000 67,200 54,501
Civil/Structural 11 51,000 53,000 54,500 55,000 65,000 57,091
Electrical 4 55,000 55,500 57,900 60,965 62,130 58,232
QLD
Electromechanical/Mechatronics 3 50,000 50,000 57,340 60,000 60,000 55,780
Mechanical 9 55,000 60,000 60,000 65,000 81,000 64,033
Environmental 3 48,700 48,700 56,420 64,500 64,500 56,540
SA
Combination engineering 3 52,000 52,000 55,600 58,000 58,000 55,200
Civil/Structural 3 49,000 49,000 60,000 66,000 66,000 58,333
WA Electromechanical/Mechatronics 4 58,000 58,000 70,000 84,000 86,000 71,000
Mechanical 4 58,000 59,000 64,000 76,500 85,000 67,750
Other Electrical 6 48,000 55,000 56,204 58,000 68,561 56,995
Total 194 49,800 51,000 55,427 60,500 69,300 57,671

TABLE 2.10 – GRADUATE ENGINEERS COMMENCING IN 2009 & 2010

SALARIES BY EMPLOYMENT SECTOR
Sample Percentile 10 Percentile 25 Median Percentile 75 Percentile 90 Mean
Private 140 49,400 51,000 55,227 61,000 73,000 57,917
Public 50 49,500 52,000 55,530 59,800 65,000 56,881
Other 4 50,000 50,025 58,575 67,831 68,561 58,928
Total 194 49,800 51,000 55,427 60,500 69,300 57,671

TABLE 2.11 – GRADUATE ENGINEERS COMMENCING IN 2009 OR 2010

COMMENCING SALARIES BY INDUSTRY
Sample Percentile 10 Percentile 25 Median Percentile 75 Percentile 90 Mean
Consulting 52 48,000 50,275 54,750 57,500 60,000 53,400
Construction 24 50,000 53,000 56,300 60,500 66,000 57,746
Mining 18 55,000 61,000 76,150 84,000 89,500 73,600
Electricity & Gas supply 21 55,000 56,500 60,000 65,000 67,101 60,641
Communications inc Telstra 3 50,000 50,000 50,000 52,000 52,000 50,667
Water, Sewerage & Drainage 11 48,000 48,840 52,689 58,000 58,000 53,178
Transport 18 49,000 52,600 56,000 63,000 74,566 59,399
Other Manufacturing 14 47,500 50,000 56,250 60,500 65,000 56,371
Other 29 45,500 50,000 52,000 57,340 67,000 54,380
Total 192 49,800 51,000 55,200 60,250 68,561 57,517

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

13
 SECTION 3 – GRADUATE COMMENTARY

As in previous surveys, graduate engineers were given an opportunity to comment on their experience as a
graduate and raise issues of concern to them.

The following is a summary of the issues most often commented upon by respondents in the 2010 Graduate
Engineer Employment Survey. The order of these comments is not significant in any way and does not indicate
the relative numbers of comments. However, significant numbers of comments were made by graduates concerning
each of the topics.

The comments made by graduate engineers participating in the 2010 Survey were much the same as those given
by participants of previous graduate engineer employment surveys.

• Degrees with an industry-based learning (IBL) component have improved job prospects
• Employers expect long hours from graduate engineers for little reward
• Universities need to provide greater assistance to graduates seeking employment
• Employers are unrealistic in expecting graduates to have relevant work experience
• Overseas-born graduates find it difficult to obtain interviews and secure employment
• Despite some progress, sexist attitudes remain in engineering
• Those willing to relocate interstate or overseas signifcantly enhance their job prospects
• Employers need to be made more aware of award entitlements of staff
• Employers are unwilling to give graduate engineers a reasonable opportunity to gain experience
• Engineering course structures are not geared towards the needs of industry
• Degrees need greater emphasis on communication, management and marketing skills
• More assistance is required for engineers working in the IT industry
• Graduate engineers, and engineers in general, are underpaid relative to level of responsibility
• Work given to graduates is boring and repetitive
• Companies do not invest enough in ongoing training of their engineers
• Little or no recognition for overtime worked
• Employers lack structured training program for new graduates
• Employers are not willing to give mature-age graduates a go
• Some companies’ graduate programs look great on paper but do not always achieve the goals they commit to

The Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report forms part of a set

compiled by APESMA. The complete set includes: ONLINE REPORT
• Professional Engineer Remuneration Survey Report (6 monthly) This report can be downloaded via the
• Australian Computer Society Remuneration Survey Report (annually) APESMA website at www.apesma.asn.au/
• Professional Scientist Remuneration Survey Report (annually) surveys/graduates/.
• Community & Hospital Pharmacists Remuneration Survey Report (annually) Visitors to the website can also access,
• Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report (annually) at no cost, details of current salaries paid
to graduate engineers by making use of
The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and an interactive analysis tool which enables
Managers, Australia the end-user to extract details of
163 Eastern Road, South Melbourne VIC 3205 • GPO Box 1272, commencing salaries based on a range
Melbourne VIC 8060 of job characteristics.
Ph: 03 9695 8839 • Fax: 03 9695 8839
Email: [email protected] • Web: www.apesma.asn.au/surveys

Copyright © 2010 by The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, used or stored in any form, especially typographically, electronically and
including photocopying, without written permission of the publisher. The use of material for private study, research or criticism is excepted
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form, as to the accuracy of the information contained in this work and cannot accept any legal responsibility for errors, omissions or
consequences of any action taken by readers.

ISSN 1444-1837

2010 Graduate Engineer Employment Survey Report © APESMA

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