Salary of a diploma holder in Chemistry with 7 years experience

Originally Posted by April

Hi, I am a diploma holder in chemistry with 7 yrs of experience, curently drawing 2.7 k.

Would like to find out if i am underpaid

would appreciate if member of similar quanfication n experience would post their salaries here as a comparision,

Thks

It really depends on how much you have contributed to the company over the years and whether the boss appreciate the work you have put in.

2.7k is fairly low pay for diploma (engineering) holders of 7 years exp.

I am a diploma holder, working in engineering (electronics/semicon industry) for 9 years.

My salary increments:-
2002 - $1200/mth (starting > economy is in very bad shape due to the dot com bubble)
2003 - $1800/mth
2004 - $2500/mth
2005 - $2800/mth
2006 - $3800/mth
2008 to 2011 - $3300/mth (economy is bad = pay cut).
car allowance $800 excluded.

After 9 years of travelling around almost the whole of Asia in my previous job, I decided to switch career this year and was now doing sales.

My humble view is, either you upgrade your cert. from diploma to degree thru' part time studying or switch line like me to sales (those with commission type) to get a better pay.

2.7k after 7 years is really a joke..diploma holders in banks can already earn 2.5k , even without mentioning huge fat bonuses

Originally Posted by Unregistered

2.7k after 7 years is really a joke..diploma holders in banks can already earn 2.5k , even without mentioning huge fat bonuses

Dun be so rude lah. Our friend is feeling very lousy already. But pardon me for being condescending, how do one survive with 2.7k in singapore? 40% of Poly grad pursue a degree within 2 years from graduating (not sure if they count the losers serving army). you are paid what you are worth.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Dun be so rude lah. Our friend is feeling very lousy already. But pardon me for being condescending, how do one survive with 2.7k in singapore? 40% of Poly grad pursue a degree within 2 years from graduating (not sure if they count the losers serving army). you are paid what you are worth.

lots of people survive on less. you guys are indeed very fortunate.

Originally Posted by April

I am urrently working as a qc lab analyst

Frankly speaking, your pay is stagnant (I may say so) is mainly due to the nature of your job and opportunities. Working as a lab analyst doesn't really contribute to the growth of the company that much, in fact, if you can afford to take a week's leave from your work and yet the company can still function as usual (without any temporary replacement or job assignments to others), then probably, you are not that critical to the company's major growth contribution.

Opportunities for such position is always, not as prosperous as key roles like sales, marketing, business development. As such key roles can "shine" you to the top if you put in more effort or if you are "lucky".

But then again, would you want to make sacrifice to your life to be part of the so called "elite" team of the company, traveling to countries you won't want to be, getting stress up when end of the month comes (with no sales), being blamed by customer when the products you sold to them is not reliable, being away from your family (if you happen to be married) during holidays in Singapore. Not being able to have dinner with your family for a week, and having dinner alone in the hotel. I am quite sure that you do not work overtime and be on time for dinner every day, with a mentality of a 5 working days job.

Sales (engineering or others) may look glamourous and paid well, but it is like any other jobs, there are price to pay. If you are willing to sacrifice, then I would advice you to switch to a more prominent roles in your company (job switch, check with your HR). I am sure they will cherish your 7 years of service with the company and willing to look for alternative jobs in your company.

Most important for you to consider, is that if you are happy with your present job and roles, why bother so much about not getting better pay. Do you desperately need them or you are just comparing with other peers. If you are happy with your present lifestyle, that means you do not need more $, sometimes, it maybe bad to have more $, then you will think of getting more $. I hope this wil help abit.

[curryrice]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You got to be joking right?? 4k for just diploma holder?? HR would rather hire a 1st class honors at a cheaper salary than to pay 4k to a diploma holder whose "experience" may not be exactly "professional" experience... most likely to be in an assistant kind of job position or some other menial supporting role...
My advise is to pursue a chemistry degree so that people will not use your diploma status against you when you are negotiating for better salary.. In Singapore, without the right papers to back you up.. You will always be at the disadvantage... This is more so in the chemical industry where you are from.. Knowledge certified by a degree is a must for better remunneration...

Experience + qualifications = Decent salary.

Unless your kind of experience is so hard to find, then your salary will be decent.

[curryrice]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

lots of people survive on less. you guys are indeed very fortunate.

Agree. I know of Engineering degree grads who are pay like fresh Diploma holders.