Unit 9, Professional Engineers
2014 Salary Survey
Published: July 25, 2014
California Department of Human Resources
Office of Financial Management and Economic Research
1515 S Street, North Building, Suite 400
Sacramento, California 95811

Table of Contents
Overview
Table 1: Survey Results
Methodology
Memorandum of Understanding Survey Requirement
State of California’s Benchmark Job Classifications
Surveyed Organizations and Job Classifications
Survey Lag Calculation
Table 2: Simplified Illustration of Salary Lag Calculation
Lag Computation Variations
Survey Results
Salary Lags for Entry, Journey, and First Level Supervisors
Table 3: Display of Survey’s Lags
Considerations
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
Attachment 3

Overview
This salary survey report is prepared by the Department of Human Resources as required by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the state and the Professional Engineers in California Government, the Union which represents employees in Bargaining Unit 9.
Pursuant to legislation, the Department has completed the 2014 Unit 9 salary survey.  Although the current MOU requires this survey to be completed, it also states that salary increases “shall not be provided during the term of this MOU” to Unit 9 employees as a result of a lag in the survey.  
The survey results indicate that the state lags behind in maximum base pay for its engineers.  The table below shows the lag for each working level.
Table 1: Survey Results
Level of Work	State Lag	
Entry Level	7.2%	
Journey Level	3.0%	
First Level Supervisor	3.7%	

Methodology
Memorandum of Understanding Survey Requirement
This salary survey was initiated and completed based on the requirements of the MOU effective July 2, 2003 through July 2, 2008.  Article 3.1 of that MOU contained the survey requirements and components to the survey whereby over time the parties had agreed to a specific methodology.  Attachment 1 displays Article 3.1 in the current MOU (effective July 2, 2013 through July 1, 2015).  By the terms of the current MOU, the surveyed agencies and benchmark comparisons may only be changed upon mutual agreement between the Department and the Union.  
MOU, Article 3.1, requires the Department to:
•	Annually survey the same 18 public agencies and 10 University of California campuses using the same job classifications in the December 2002 survey.
•	Calculate the salary lead or lag based on the weighted average of salaries of employees in the surveyed organizations’ classifications.
State of California’s Benchmark Job Classifications
For this survey, the required three benchmarks for the state are:
•	Entry Level — Transportation Engineer (Civil) Range B
•	Journey Level — Transportation Engineer (Civil) Range D
•	First Level Supervisor — Senior Transportation Engineer, Caltrans
Surveyed Organizations and Job Classifications
Attachment 2 displays the surveyed organizations, their surveyed job classifications, and the minimum and maximum salaries of those job classifications.
Survey Lag Calculation
There are two parts to the survey lag computation.  The first part weights the maximum salary of each surveyed organization (excluding state employee counts) by the total number of engineers in the comparable class in the surveyed organizations.  This is done separately for the entry level, journey level and first level supervisor categories.  This results in three weighted average maximum salaries for the surveyed organizations; one for entry level, one for journey level, and one for first level supervisor.
The second part of the lag computation compares the weighted average salary for the surveyed organizations with the maximum salary of the state benchmark engineer class.  The percentage difference is the salary lag.  A separate lag is computed for entry, journey, and first level supervisors.
To illustrate how the lag is calculated the table below uses fictitious salary and incumbent counts for two fictitious survey organizations.
Table 2: Simplified Illustration of Salary Lag Calculation
Surveyed  Organization	Entry Level Maximum Salary A	No. of Engineers in Survey Class B	Product = A x B	
Organization A	$5,346	132	$705,672	
Organization B	$6,268	26	$162,968	
Total	N/A	158	$826,640	
•	Weighted Average Salary: $5,232 1
•	State of California Salary: $5,000
•	State Salary Lag: $232
•	State Salary Lag Percent: 4.6%2
1 Calculation is $826,640/158
2 Calculation is $5,232 less 5,000 divided by $5,000, rounded to one decimal

Lag Computation Variations
There were two unique variations affecting the lag computation.  The first item is that some of the surveyed organizations used two classifications for one level (such as entry level).  
Attachment 2 illustrates:
•	Six surveyed organizations used two classifications for the entry level
•	One surveyed organization used two classifications for the journey level
For those organizations using two classifications for a level (such as entry level), the Department combined the incumbent counts for the two classifications, and then weighted the survey using the higher-salaried class by the combined incumbent count.
The second variation affecting the lag computation is the additional pay that some survey organizations provide their engineers for possessing state certification as a registered engineer.
The City of San Diego pays employees an additional 15 percent of salary to its employees in the journey and first level supervisors for possessing state certification as a Registered Civil Engineer. To compute the survey’s salary lag, 15 percent of pay was added to the maximum salary, and then was weighted by an incumbent count, assuming all were state-certified registered engineers.
The Union and the Department agreed on the application of the two variations for the survey methodology.

Survey Results
Salary Lags for Entry, Journey, and First Level Supervisors
Based on the survey data, the results are displayed in the table below for the state’s three surveyed benchmark job classifications.  
Table 3: Display of Survey’s Lags
Level of Work	Entry Level	Journey Level	First Level Supervisor	
State Benchmark Classification	Transportation Engineer (Civil) Range B	Transportation Engineer (Civil) Range D	Senior Transportation Engineer, Caltrans	
Lag for State	7.2%	3.0%	3.7%	
Attachment 3 provides the detail on the lag computations.
These three lag percentages have not resulted in salary increases. As agreed upon in the current MOU, rank and file civil service job classifications of Bargaining Unit 9 are not automatically entitled to salary increases to compensate for any salary disparity (or “lag”) between Unit 9 salaries and benchmark comparisons used in this survey. 
Considerations
Pursuant to legislation (Chapter 391, Statutes of 2013) and the MOU, the Department is required to complete a salary survey comparing three state classifications to similar classifications in 28 public jurisdictions, including 10 UC campuses.  The MOU states that salary increases based on the survey results will not be provided during the term of this contract.  Therefore, this survey does not reflect the actual cost of increasing Unit 9 salaries, and it also does not take into consideration the total impact that such increases would have on the related supervisory and managerial classifications. 
Attachment 1
Salary Survey Text from Unit 9 Memorandum Of Understanding
(2013-2015)
ARTICLE 3 - SALARIES AND COMPENSATION
3.1 Salary Parity for Unit 9
The State and PECG will continue to complete the salary survey of Unit 9. This survey will include the Professional Engineer Benchmarks that utilize the California public agencies and the University of California included in the department’s survey dated December 2002, and the local agency classifications and salary range matches contained therein. The salary survey for those classifications and agencies shall be current data. The agencies and classifications included in the survey shall only be changed upon agreement between CalHR and PECG.
Salary Methodology:
A. All steps in each salary range shall be increased by the same percentage. The salary for intermediate classifications in ranges between the Entry and Supervisory levels shall be based on prorating or interpolating the salaries.
B. All salary increases shall be rounded to the nearest dollar.  In no event shall salaries be reduced as a result of this provision. CalHR and PECG may negotiate salaries above the minimum level on any general, regional, specialty, classification, department, or other basis they choose to agree upon.
C. Salaries for Unit 9 employees shall be increased as appropriate to correspond to the timing of the salaries received by local agency employees included in the survey.
By mutual agreement CalHR and PECG can meet to discuss benchmarks and methodologies.
Beginning with the January 2013 salary survey, the calculation of the salary lead or lag for Unit 9 employees shall be based on weighted average salaries of employees in the classifications in the following surveyed agencies listed in the below chart.
Notwithstanding the above provisions, salary increases pursuant to this section shall not be provided during the term of this MOU.
Attachment 2
List of Surveyed Organizations and Entry Level Classifications for 2014 Unit 9 Salary Survey
Organization	Entry Level	Min	Max	
STATE OF CALIFORNIA	Transportation Engineer A/B	$4,608	$6,601	
Alameda County	Junior Engineer	$5,606	$6,477	
Contra Costa County	Engineer - Entry	$5,077	$6,034	
Fresno County	Engineer II	$4,810	$6,151	
Los Angeles County	C.E Assistant Sr. C.E. Assistant	$5,114 $5,114	$6,018 $6,353	
Orange County	Junior Civil Engineer	$5,432	$6,217	
Riverside County	Junior Engineer Assistant Engineer	$4,395 $4,914	$6,229 $6,967	
Sacramento County	Asst. Civil Engineer Lvl 1
Asst. Civil Eng. Lvl 2	$4,642 $5,585	$5,117 $7,127	
San Bernardino County	A/E Project Manager I	$4,767	$6,088	
San Diego County	Assistant Engineer	$4,945	$6,382	
Santa Clara County	Assistant Civil Engineer	$6,099	$7,416	
SF City/County	Junior Engineer Assistant Engineer	$5,834   $7,833	$7,092   $8,630	
City of Fresno	Engineer I	$4,119	$4,972	
City of Los Angeles	Civil Engineer Associate I	$5,712	$7,096	
City of Oakland	Assistant Engineer, Level 1	$5,208	$6,393	
City of Riverside	Assistant Engineer	$5,428	$6,599	
City of Sacramento	Junior Engineer Assistant Civil Engineer	$4,164 $5,079	$5,859   $7,146	
City of San Diego	Junior Engineer Assistant Engineer	$4,181   $4,839	$5,063   $5,830	
City of San Jose	Engineer I	$5,295	$6,699	
University of California, Berkeley	Engineer, Assistant	N/A	N/A	
University of California, Davis	Engineer, Assistant	$4,024	$7,243	
University of California, Irvine	Engineer, Assistant	$3,867	$6,225	
University of California, Los Angeles	Engineer, Assistant	$3,921	$7,745	
University of California, Merced	Engineer, Assistant	N/A	N/A	
University of California, Riverside	Engineer, Assistant	$3,679	$7,543	
University of California, San Diego	Engineer, Assistant	$3,509	$6,270	
University of California, Santa Cruz	Engineer, Assistant	$3,917	$7,050	
University of California, Santa Barbara	Engineer, Assistant	$3,980	$7,174	
University of California, San Francisco	Engineer, Assistant	$4,742	$8,442	

List of Surveyed Organizations and Journey Level Classifications for 2014 Unit 9 Salary Survey
Organization	Journey Level	Min	Max	
STATE OF CALIFORNIA	Transportation Engineer D	$6,897	$8,630	
Alameda County	Associate Civil Engineer	$7,656	$9,303	
Contra Costa County	Engineer - Project	$6,983	$8,098	
Fresno County	Senior Engineer	$6,164	$7,650	
Los Angeles County	Assoc. Civil Engineer Civil Engineer	$6,773  $7,550	$8,414  $9,379	
Orange County	Civil Engineer	$7,504	$8,597	
Riverside County	Associate Civil Engineer	$5,761	$8,169	
Sacramento County	Associate Civil Engineer	$7,120	$8,657	
San Bernardino County	A/E Project Manager II	$5,521	$7,053	
San Diego County	Civil Engineer	$6,243	$7,672	
Santa Clara County	Associate Civil Engineer	$7,274	$8,841	
SF City/County	Associate Engineer	$7,664	$9,315	
City of Fresno	Professional Engineer	$5,819	$7,052	
City of Los Angeles	Civil Engineer	$7,731	$9,607	
City of Oakland	Civil Engineer	$7,033	$8,635	
City of Riverside	Associate Engineer	$6,271	$8,404	
City of Sacramento	Associate Civil Engineer	$6,164	$8,674	
City of San Diego	Associate Engineer	$6,407	$7,737	
City of San Jose	Associate Engineer	$6,434	$8,147	
University of California, Berkeley	Engineer, Associate	N/A	N/A	
University of California, Davis	Engineer, Associate	$4,866	$8,759	
University of California, Irvine	Engineer, Associate	$4,683	$7,540	
University of California, Los Angeles	Engineer, Associate	$4,743	$9,348	
University of California, Merced	Engineer, Associate	N/A	N/A	
University of California, Riverside	Engineer, Associate	$4,451	$9,128	
University of California, San Diego	Engineer, Associate	$4,227	$7,896	
University of California, Santa Cruz	Engineer, Associate	$4,792	$8,625	
University of California, Santa Barbara	Engineer, Associate	$4,814	$8,659	
University of California, San Francisco	Engineer, Associate	$5,758	$10,242	

List of Surveyed Organizations and First Level Supervisor Classifications for 2014 Unit 9 Salary Survey
Organization	First Level Supervisor	Min	Max	
STATE OF CALIFORNIA	Sr. Transportation Engineer	$8,122	$10,166	
Alameda County	Supervising Civil Engineer	$8,918	$10,843	
Contra Costa County	Associate Civil Engineer	$6,176	$8,104	
Fresno County	Supervising Engineer	$6,779	$8,411	
Los Angeles County	Senior Civil Engineer	$8,414	$10,454	
Orange County	Senior Civil Engineer	$8,597	$9,857	
Riverside County	Senior Civil Engineer	$6,581	$9,334	
Sacramento County	Senior Civil Engineer	$8,488	$9,358	
San Bernardino County	A/E Project Manager III	$6,087	$7,783	
San Diego County	Senior Civil Engineer	$7,225	$8,878	
Santa Clara County	Senior Civil Engineer	$8,518	$10,380	
SF City/County	Senior Engineer	$10,268	$12,480	
City of Fresno	Supervising Professional Engineer	$6,606	$8,011	
City of Los Angeles	Senior Civil Engineer	$9,092	$11,296	
City of Oakland	Civil Engineer, Supervisor	$8,645	$10,614	
City of Riverside	Principal Engineer	$8,057	$11,901	
City of Sacramento	Supervising Engineer	$7,484	$11,226	
City of San Diego	Senior Civil Engineer	$7,384	$8,929	
City of San Jose	Senior Engineer	$7,826	$9,901	
University of California, Berkeley	Engineer, Senior	N/A	N/A	
University of California, Davis	Engineer, Senior	$5,356	$9,641	
University of California, Irvine	Engineer, Senior	$5,150	$8,333	
University of California, Los Angeles	Engineer, Senior	$5,221	$10,301	
University of California, Merced	Engineer, Senior	$4,709	$8,817	
University of California, Riverside	Engineer, Senior	$4,899	$10,270	
University of California, San Diego	Engineer, Senior	$5,161	$10,048	
University of California, Santa Cruz	Engineer, Senior	$5,333	$9,600	
University of California, Santa Barbara	Engineer, Senior	$5,299	$9,541	
University of California, San Francisco	Engineer, Senior	$6,317	$11,250	

Attachment 3
Department of Human Resources Computation of Weighted Average Salary and Lag for 2014 Unit 9 Salary Survey
April 1, 2014
Jurisdiction	Entry Level Salary Maximum	Entry Level # of Inc.	Entry Level Weighted Avg. Max 	Journey Level Salary Maximum	Journey Level # of Inc.	Journey Level Weighted Avg. Max 	First Level Supervisor Salary Maximum	First Level Sup. # of Inc.	First Level Sup. Weighted Avg. Max 	
Alameda County	$6,477	0	$0	$9,303	10	$93,028	$10,843	4	$43,372	
Contra Costa County	$6,034	0	$0	$8,098	4	$32,392	$8,104	7	$56,728	
Fresno County	$6,151	1	$6,151	$7,650	7	$53,550	$8,411	2	$16,822	
Los Angeles County	$6,353	93	$590,829	$9,379	348	$3,263,892	$10,454	98	$1,024,492	
Orange County	$6,217	0	$0	$8,597	36	$309,492	$9,857	26	$256,282	
Riverside County	$6,967	10	$69,670	$8,169	8	$65,352	$9,334	7	$65,338	
Sacramento County	$7,127	86	$612,922	$8,657	90	$779,130	$9,358	47	$439,826	
San Bernardino County	$6,088	2	$12,176	$7,053	3	$21,159	$7,783	1	$7,783	
San Diego County	$6,382	14	$89,348	$7,672	42	$322,224	$8,878	22	$195,316	
Santa Clara County	$7,416	9	$66,744	$8,841	19	$167,979	$10,380	6	$62,280	
SF City/County	$8,630	213	$1,838,190	$9,315	251	$2,338,065	$12,480	117	$1,460,160	
City of Fresno	$4,972	3	$14,916	$7,052	14	$98,728	$8,011	3	$24,033	
City of Los Angeles	$7,096	13	$92,248	$9,607	63	$605,241	$11,296	30	$338,880	
City of Oakland	$6,393	0	$0	$8,635	19	$164,065	$10,614	4	$42,456	
City of Riverside	$6,599	5	$32,995	$8,404	5	$42,020	$11,901	8	$95,208	
City of Sacramento	$7,146	10	$71,460	$8,674	21	$182,154	$11,226	11	$123,486	
City of San Diego	$5,830	209	$1,218,470	$7,737	89	$688,611	$8,929	47	$419,644	
City of San Jose	$6,699	0	$0	$8,147	101	$822,847	$9,901	26	$257,426	
UC - Berkeley	$0	0	$0	$0	0	$0	$0	0	$0	
UC - Davis	$7,243	0	$0	$8,759	3	$26,277	$9,641	3	$28,923	
UC - Irvine	$6,225	0	$0	$7,540	0	$0	$8,333	1	$8,333	
UC - Los Angeles	$7,745	13	$100,685	$9,348	3	$28,044	$10,301	3	$30,903	
UC - Merced	$0	0	$0	$0	0	$0	$8,817	0	$0	
UC - Riverside	$7,543	0	$0	$9,128	0	$0	$10,270	1	$10,270	
UC - San Diego	$6,270	1	$6,270	$7,896	6	$47,378	$10,048	1	$10,048	
UC - Santa Cruz	$7,050	7	$49,350	$8,625	1	$8,625	$9,600	8	$76,800	
UC - Santa Barbara	$7,174	3	$21,522	$8,659	3	$25,977	$9,541	1	$9,541	
UC - San Francisco	$8,442	3	$25,326	$10,242	1	$10,242	$11,250	0	$0	
Total	N/A	695	$419,272	N/A	1,147	$10,196,471	N/A	484	$5,104,351	
Calculation of weighted maximum salaries for entry, journey and supervisory levels is the salary maximum multiplied by the number of incumbents. 
Results	Entry Level	Journey Level	First Level Supervisor	
Jurisdiction Weighted Average Salary	$7,078	$8,890	$10,546	
State of California Salary*	$6,601	$8,630	$10,166	
State Lag (Dollar Amount)	$477	$260	$380	
State Lag (Percentage)	7.2%	3.0%	3.7%