Originally Posted by Reality Bytes
I did find this , which indicates that with performance bonuses and 10% overtime, the assembler in the example makes $72,500 per year; and the tool&die maker would make over $83,000 per year.

Hmm.

In contrast, the average professional engineer starting salary is well under 60k, for the same (or more) hours. Even the medians range from 66k (health and safety engineers) to 98k (petroleum - heh); the median of the medians is $73,900.
Isn't that kind of comparing apples to oranges? I mean, how many starting positions are there for tool and die makers at that salary level compared to starting positions for engineers at their corresponding salary level? And what is the comparative commitment in terms of training? Can a person get into the union as a tool and die maker right out of high school and make that kind of money?

Steve
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love,
to respect and be kind to one another,
so that we may grow with peace in mind.
(Native American prayer)