According to our 2007 Reader Survey,
Asian engineers will make an average of
$111,952 in total compensation this year,
compared to $102,272 for non-Asians - or
nearly 10% more. This is despite the fact that
Asian engineers are typically younger and significantly
less experienced. They also have
spent less time in their present position and
with their current firm than their non-Asian
counterparts. This discrepancy in income is
consistent with data we've seen in our previous
salary surveys.
What's behind the disparity? For one thing,
Asian engineers are more educated. Nearly
39% have master's degrees and 24% have
doctoral degrees, compared to 29% and 7% for
non-Asians, respectively. They're concentrated
more heavily in states that command higher
salaries, like California, where nearly 40% of
Asian engineers work. Also, they tend to work
for larger organizations that typically pay more.
These engineers remain in high demand despite overall pressures on the industry: 59% say they've been contacted
by a headhunter or recruiter during the past year, compared to 45% of non-Asians. Yet despite the fact that
they apparently enjoy these economic advantages, Asian engineers are less satisfied with their current jobs and
compensation, and they're less bullish on the engineering profession in general.