2 014 OSPE: ONTARIO SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL

ENGINEERS EMPLOYER COMPENSATION SURVEY

MEMBER MARKET SUMMARY
SURVEY REPORT
Published Date: September


Data Effective Date: June 1, 2014
Mercer is providing this survey information to its clients to permit them to make independent decisions regarding salaries and benefits.
Because the exchange of salary and benefit information among competitors may be construed in certain circumstances as a means to facilitate
an antitrust violation, Mercer has taken appropriate steps in collecting and disseminating this information in order to avoid such perceptions.
Survey materials and the data contained therein are copyrighted works owned exclusively by Mercer and may not be copied, modified, sold,
transformed into any other media, or otherwise transferred in whole or in any part to any party other than the named subscriber, without prior
written consent from Mercer.
For further information, please contact your local Mercer office or visit our web site at: www.imercer.com

Argentina Mexico

Australia Netherlands

Austria New Zealand

Belgium Norway

Brazil Peru

Canada Philippines

Chile Poland

China Portugal

Colombia Saudi Arabia

Czech Republic Singapore

Denmark South Korea

Finland Spain

France Sweden

Germany Switzerland

Hong Kong Taiwan

India Thailand

Indonesia Turkey

Ireland United Arab Emirates

Italy United Kingdom

Japan United States

Malaysia Venezuela

2014 Mercer LLC. All rights reserved. 400 West Market Street, Suite 700, Louisville, KY 40202-3415
 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Daniel J. Young, M. Eng., P.Eng.

President and Chair
Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
(OSPE)

The OSPE Employer Compensation Survey represents the results of an in-depth market research study
conducted annually amongst employers of engineers. This comprehensive survey has been conducted
with Ontarios engineers for over 50 years and remains the authoritative source on hiring trends and
compensation levels for engineers in Ontario.
In 2014, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) once again partnered with Mercer to
conduct the survey. As in previous years, the survey implementation was overseen by an advisory
committee comprised of representatives from industry, engineering and human resources tasked with
ensuring the collection of the most comprehensive and relevant data possible.
Data were included from 214 organizations in 2014. This included compensation data for over 14,400
engineers across all major industry groups, in both the private and public sectors.
I personally thank all the organizations that took part in the survey this year, many of which are return
participants from prior years. The support of these organizations remains critical to the success of the
survey.
On behalf of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, I sincerely hope that you will find the
results of the 2014 OSPE Employer Compensation Survey a valuable resource for your organizations
continuing success.

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce this document or any
portion thereof in any form.
 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey

OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey

The 2014 OSPE Employer Compensation Survey package, including all aspects and modifications thereof (hereafter
referred to as the Survey), contains the proprietary information of Mercer and the Ontario Society of Professional
Engineers. No part of the Survey may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopy, or information storage and retrieval systems, without the prior written consent of
Mercer and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. Redistribution or reproduction of the material is expressly
forbidden.

The information and data contained in this report are for information purposes only and are not intended nor implied
to be a substitute for professional advice. In no event will Mercer or the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers be
liable to you or to any third party for any decision made or action taken in reliance of the results obtained through the
use of the information and/or data contained or provided herein.

The use of the Survey is limited to the original buyer or recipient. The Survey is intended for the internal use of the
buyer only. No management consulting firm, research agency or other comparable organization is authorized to use
the Survey without the express written consent of Mercer and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers.

Mercer
Information Solutions
161 Bay Street, P.O. Box 501
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2S5
Telephone: 800 333 3070
Email: info.services@mercer.com

Ontario Society of Professional Engineers

4950 Yonge Street, Suite 502
Toronto, Ontario M2N 6K1
Telephone: 416 223 9961
Email: info@ospe.on.ca

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce this document or any
portion thereof in any form.
 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Using the Survey Results
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Advisory Committee ............................................................................................................................................................ 1

Survey Overview
Confidentiality and Privacy .................................................................................................................................................. 2
About OSPE ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Data in This Report ............................................................................................................................................................. 3
The OSPE employer Compensation Survey Detailed Report Findings & Mercers
Reporting Tool Premium Access ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Terms and Definitions ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
OSPE Regions ................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Industry Groupings ............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Sample Overview
Sample Size by Engineering Responsibility Level .............................................................................................................. 7
Distribution of Incumbents by Location ............................................................................................................................... 7
Spread of Actual Years from Graduation ............................................................................................................................ 7
Standard Work Week .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Compensation Data
Compensation Data by Engineering Level .......................................................................................................................... 9
Compensation Data by Primary Industry .......................................................................................................................... 10
Base Salary by Year of Graduation ................................................................................................................................... 11
Compensation Data by Location ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Participant List
Click here to open attachments panel

Classification of Engineering Responsibility Levels .........................................................................13

Mercer Services
About Mercer ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15

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 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Survey Overview

USING THE SURVEY RESULTS

Introduction
Mercer and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) are pleased to present the results of the 2014
OSPE Employer Compensation Survey. This survey provides current data with respect to actual compensation
levels for professional engineers in Ontario.

The 2014 OSPE Employer Compensation Survey, conducted under the auspices of OSPE on behalf of its members
and their employers, is designed to:

Establish meaningful criteria for levels of engineering responsibility for the benefit of both engineers and
employers of engineers; and
Provide current data with respect to actual compensation levels for engineering work.

Advisory Committee
OSPE maintains an Employer Compensation Survey Advisory Committee comprised of both human resources
professionals and professional engineers from a variety of industries. We would like to thank the Committee for its
efforts and continuing dedication to this survey. The 2014 Advisory Committee was comprised of the following
members:

Ray Givens
Committee Chair
Givens Engineering Inc.

Carolyn Philps, CHRP

Manager, Human Resources
MMM Group Limited

Dominic Macchia, CHRP

Director, HR
Dragados Canada Inc.

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers 1

 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Survey Overview

SURVEY OVERVIEW
The 2014 OSPE Employer Compensation Survey results represent salary data submitted by 214 organizations
covering more than 14,400 incumbents, across six engineering responsibility levels. All salary data are based on
rates paid effective June 1, 2014. Incentive data included are based on the most recent awards or most recently
completed fiscal year. All figures are reported in thousands of Canadian dollars for full-time equivalent employees.

2014 OSPE Employer Compensation Survey Profile

Organizations Participating in the Survey................................................... 214

Engineers Represented ......................................................................... 14,419
Date Effective.............................................................................. June 1st, 2014

All data in these results have been reviewed and verified for accuracy. Where necessary, individual responses have
been verified with participants. Mercer reserves the right to exclude data which it considers statistically invalid or
which may result in a breach of confidentiality for any survey participant.

Confidentiality & Privacy

Mercer ensures all data collected for this survey are treated as confidential. In instances where these data may be
used in other OSPE survey reports, such as custom analyses, company names may appear in the participant list.
The 2014 OSPE Employer Compensation Survey data do not form part of Mercers general industry database.
Summary statistics from the OSPE Employer Compensation Survey are published in electronic format as a PDF for
both employers and OSPE members. In addition, summary statistics can be queried in Mercers Reporting Tool
(available to employers only). In all cases, it is Mercers policy to continue to maintain the confidentiality of all data
submitted during the data collection process. Mercer is committed to protecting the privacy of employee data and to
meeting its obligations under Canadian privacy law.

Mercers confidentiality policy is to report data only where a minimum sample size guarantees that all individual
inputs and salary records are fully masked and protected. In all cases, Mercer maintains the highest level of data
security and ensures confidentiality of all data submitted.

About OSPE
The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) is the Voice of Ontarios Engineers. OSPE promotes and
supports excellence in all aspects of engineering by enhancing the professional recognition of Ontarios 70,000+
professional engineers among employers and all levels of government; increasing their public profile; and advancing
their economic interests by offering exemplary continuing education, career advancement and affinity programs. For
more information, please visit www.ospe.on.ca.
If you have any questions about the history of the salary surveys or OSPE services, please contact OSPE:
Phone: 416 223 9961 (Toll Free: 1 866 763 1654)
Email: info@ospe.on.ca
Mail: Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
4950 Yonge Street, Suite 502
Toronto ON M2N 6K1

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers 2

 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Survey Overview

Data in This Report

Base Salary and total cash compensation figures are reported in this Member Market Compensation Summary on
the following basis:
By Engineering Responsibility Level
By Primary Industry
By Year of Graduation
By Incumbent Location

The OSPE Employer Compensation Survey

Detailed Report Findings & Mercers Reporting Tool Premium Access
The complete findings of the OSPE Employer Compensation Survey are available to members in PDF format and to
employers of engineers in Ontario in Mercers reporting tool, an online database. These products afford users of the
survey the opportunity to analyze base salary, incentives granted as a percentage of salary, and total cash
compensation based on the following scopes:
Engineering Responsibility Level
Year of Graduation
Primary Industry
Incumbent Location
Job Type
Revenue/Operating Budget
# of Engineers Employed in Ontario
Incentive Eligibility
Gender*
Overtime Eligibility*
Total Number of Employees*
Engineering Discipline*
Annual Incentive Target (% of Base)
Unionized

Participant employers may use the Premium Edition of Mercers reporting tool to analyze the survey data in
nonstandard categories (i.e., define custom cuts of the data).
Example: Total cash for Level C employees that graduated in 1995 and work in Durable Manufacturing
organizations with revenues of less than $150 million.
*Mercers reporting tool Premium Edition only

Mercers reporting tool Premium access to survey report data allows participant employers to request custom peer
groups by organization name for an additional fee of $325.

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers 3

 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Survey Overview

Terms and Definitions

Num Orgs
The number of organizations reporting information for the position.
Num Obs
The number of observations or incumbents for which information is reported.
Rates
Rates represent actual base salary and variable pay information, and Year(s) from Graduation values.
Base Salary
Each incumbents base salary information is given equal weight in the computation of the statistics. The results
therefore reflect the influence of those organizations reporting multiple incumbents.
Total Cash Compensation
Annual base salary and incentives, if any, for all incumbents in the sample whether or not they were eligible for or
received an incentive. Each incumbent is given equal weight in the computation of the statistics. The results
therefore reflect the influence of those organizations reporting multiple incumbents.
Average (Mean)
The sum of the rates reported divided by the number of rates in the sample (also known as the Mean).
Low & High Values
Low and high values reported represent the top and bottom of the mid-range for competitive pay. Detailed quartile
and decile statistical analyses are available in the full report.

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 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Survey Overview

OSPE Regions

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers 5

 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Survey Overview

Industry Groupings
This page summarizes the industry groupings for reporting and further analysis in Mercers reporting tool:

Consulting Services
Consulting Services

Transportation/Utilities
Transportation/Utilities Electric Power
Transportation/Utilities Gas
Transportation/Utilities Transportation

Durable Manufacturing
Durable Manufacturing Machinery
Durable Manufacturing Metal Fabrication/Primary Metals
Durable Manufacturing Transportation Equipment
Durable Manufacturing Other

Non-Durable Manufacturing
Non-Durable Manufacturing Chemical
Non-Durable Manufacturing Petrochemical/Crude Petroleum
Non-Durable Manufacturing Pharmaceuticals
Non-Durable Manufacturing Rubber/Plastics
Non-Durable Manufacturing Other

Public Sector & Not-for-Profit

Public Sector & Not-for-Profit Federal/Municipal Government
Public Sector & Not-for-Profit Non-Profit Organization
Public Sector & Not-for-Profit Other

High-tech/Electrical Products/Telecommunications (HET)

HET Electrical Products
HET Telecommunications
HET High-tech

Other
Other Mining Metals
Other Retail

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers 6

 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Sample Overview

SAMPLE OVERVIEW
This section provides the broader market context that will enable users to gain a greater insight into this years
survey sample.

Sample Size by Engineering Responsibility Level

The following table shows the number of incumbents for whom data were received for each engineering
responsibility level:
Level Num Orgs Num Obs
All Levels 214 14,419
Level A 101 1,820
Level B 110 1,822
Level C 172 4,199
Level D 162 3,805
Level E 150 2,112
Level F 97 661

Distribution of Incumbents by Location

The incumbent distribution for selected geographic locations is as follows:
Region (N=14,419) % of Sample
Eastern Ontario 12.9
Greater Toronto Area 58.9
Northern Ontario 4.1
Southwestern Ontario 24.1

Spread of Actual Years from Graduation

The table below indicates the spread of actual years from graduation for each engineering responsibility level:

Year(s) from Graduation

Engineering Level Num Orgs Num Obs Low Average High
Level A 61 708 1 4 5
Level B 89 965 4 8 11
Level C 102 1,686 7 15 22
Level D 93 1,250 11 20 29
Level E 88 1,008 15 24 33
Level F 80 461 20 28 35

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers 7

 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Sample Overview

Standard Work Week

The following chart indicates the number of hours in a standard work week for engineers in Ontario:

Standard Work Week (N = 14,405)

40
Hours/Week
41%

37.5
Hours/Week
31%

Other
11%
35
Hours/Week
17%

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers 8

 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Compensation Data

COMPENSATION DATA
Compensation Data by Engineering Level
The graph and table below illustrate average base salary and total cash compensation by engineering responsibility level:

Base Salary & Total Cash Compensation Total Cash

by Engineering Responsibility Level Base Salary

$180,000

$160,000

$140,000

$120,000
compensation
MeanCompensation

$100,000

$80,000

$60,000
Mean

$40,000

$20,000
Level A Level B Level C Level D Level E Level F

Base Salary Total Cash Compensation

Num Orgs Num Obs Low Average High Low Average High
All Levels 214 14,419 71.8 96.6 117.2 73.5 100.4 120.0
Level A 101 1,820 55.0 64.4 74.0 55.0 65.1 75.6
Level B 110 1,822 62.6 73.6 85.9 63.9 75.1 86.6
Level C 172 4,199 76.4 91.0 109.9 78.0 92.8 112.4
Level D 162 3,805 89.8 103.4 115.3 93.7 107.2 119.6
Level E 150 2,112 108.3 126.4 141.7 113.0 133.6 150.0
Level F 97 661 125.9 150.9 171.0 137.1 169.4 199.0

* More than 35% of the rates within the sample are supplied by one organization.
Note: Above compensation data are displayed in CAD $000 for a full-time equivalent employee, unless otherwise indicated.
All data are incumbent weighted.

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers 9

 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Compensation Data

Compensation Data by Primary Industry

The following graph illustrates average base salary and total cash compensation by primary industry for all engineering
responsibility levels combined.

All Levels Combined

Base Salary & Total Cash Compensation
Total Cash
by Primary Industry
Base Salary
$140,000

$120,000
Mean Compensation

$100,000
Mean compensation

$80,000

$60,000

$40,000

$20,000
Consulting Transportation/ Durable Mfg. Non-Durable High-tech/ Public Sector Other
Services Utilities Manufacturing Elect. Prod./ & Not-for-Profit
Telecom

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 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Compensation Data

Base Salary by Year of Graduation

All Levels Num Orgs Num Obs Average Level D Num Orgs Num Obs Average
Year(s) from/of Grad. 214 14,419 96.6 Year(s) from/of Grad. 162 3,805 103.4
< 2 Years 49 237 58.2 < 5 Years 9 13 100.3
2-4 2010-2012 71 750 65.7 5-7 2007-2009 22 62 94.5
5-7 2007-2009 93 839 76.7 8-10 2004-2006 46 133 99.8
8-10 2004-2006 93 695 87.3 11-15 1999-2003 53 262 99.4
11-15 1999-2003 90 825 96.3 16-20 1994-1998 57 217 103.4
16-20 1994-1998 98 676 107.1 21-25 1989-1993 50 190 103.9
21-25 1989-1993 85 621 110.7 26-30 1984-1988 50 169 104.6
> 25 Years 94 1,435 121.0 > 30 Years 53 204 109.0
No Degree 5 7 99.7 No Degree 2 2 --
Not Available 137 8,334 97.3 Not Available 91 2,553 103.6

Level A Num Orgs Num Obs Average Level E Num Orgs Num Obs Average
Year(s) from/of Grad. 101 1,820 64.4 Year(s) from/of Grad. 150 2,112 126.4
< 2 Years 40 209 57.4 < 11 Years 29 82 119.2
2-4 2010-2012 45 349 59.5 11-15 1999-2003 43 123 116.1
5-7 2007-2009 24 91 63.5 16-20 1994-1998 54 181 127.0
8-10 2004-2006 12 33 63.4 21-25 1989-1993 57 176 127.6
> 10 Years 9 26 64.8 26-30 1984-1988 57 168 130.6
No Degree 1 2 -- > 30 Years 56 278 132.1
Not Available 53 1,110 67.3 No Degree 1 1 --
Not Available 83 1,103 125.8
Level B Num Orgs Num Obs Average
Year(s) from/of Grad. 110 1,822 73.6 Level F Num Orgs Num Obs Average
< 2 Years 14 20 60.5 Year(s) from/of Grad. 97 661 150.9
2-4 2010-2012 60 284 66.2 < 11 Years 7 9 121.6
5-7 2007-2009 66 336 69.6 11-15 1999-2003 19 35 132.0
8-10 2004-2006 42 126 73.2 16-20 1994-1998 29 49 148.9
> 10 Years 41 199 74.0 21-25 1989-1993 33 75 143.2
No Degree 1 1 -- 26-30 1984-1988 41 122 155.1
Not Available 35 856 77.9 > 30 Years 57 171 158.2
No Degree 0 0 --
Level C Num Orgs Num Obs Average
Not Available 32 200 150.0
Year(s) from/of Grad. 172 4,199 91.0
< 5 Years 32 101 75.4
Note: Above compensation data are displayed in CAD $000 for
5-7 2007-2009 70 337 82.1 a full-time equivalent employee, unless otherwise indicated.
8-10 2004-2006 72 336 84.1 All data are incumbent weighted.
11-15 1999-2003 68 331 87.8
16-20 1994-1998 58 177 89.4
21-25 1989-1993 44 143 92.3
26-30 1984-1988 34 118 91.5
> 30 Years 38 143 96.5
No Degree 1 1 --
Not Available 91 2,512 93.9

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers 11

 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Compensation Data

Compensation Data by Location

Base Salary Total Cash Compensation

Scope Category Num Orgs Num Obs Low Average High Low Average High
Level A
Eastern Ontario 26 210 56.1 60.3 61.7 56.3 60.5 62.0
Greater Toronto Area 68 975 56.5 65.5 68.3 57.0 66.0 68.3
Northern Ontario 15 85 60.1 67.8 69.7 60.4 68.0 69.7
Southwestern Ontario 43 550 59.4 63.5 66.0 60.0 64.8 68.4

Level B
Eastern Ontario 34 227 68.5 72.6 77.0 69.0 73.5 77.6
Greater Toronto Area 65 1,065 66.3 74.8 78.3 66.8 75.9 79.9
Northern Ontario 18 86 68.8 79.4 85.9 68.8 80.3 86.5
Southwestern Ontario 49 444 64.0 70.2 72.3 65.0 73.2 79.7

Level C
Eastern Ontario 44 454 82.4 88.2 93.4 83.2 89.8 94.4
Greater Toronto Area 110 2,629 82.1 93.7 102.7 83.6 95.0 104.1
Northern Ontario *24 174 87.7 98.1 106.5 90.0 99.8 109.9
Southwestern Ontario 67 942 76.5 83.6 85.2 79.2 87.1 91.7

Level D
Eastern Ontario 44 651 102.6 106.9 113.3 102.8 109.6 114.4
Greater Toronto Area 96 2,208 96.4 103.2 107.0 99.2 106.1 110.0
Northern Ontario 22 143 96.6 104.6 103.1 98.7 106.6 109.2
Southwestern Ontario 66 803 89.8 101.0 102.6 96.8 108.6 104.9

Level E
Eastern Ontario 41 224 119.0 124.2 131.8 124.3 135.5 143.6
Greater Toronto Area 96 1,297 118.5 128.1 133.2 122.3 133.6 137.3
Northern Ontario 15 76 115.7 127.7 131.6 115.8 135.7 138.7
Southwestern Ontario 53 515 106.6 123.1 127.1 114.6 132.6 135.1

Level F
Eastern Ontario 25 93 137.5 150.4 157.1 145.0 170.7 184.3
Greater Toronto Area 57 319 139.4 157.3 159.6 150.0 176.7 175.6
Northern Ontario 8 21 146.4 162.3 167.8 160.2 178.9 178.8
Southwestern Ontario 38 228 122.3 141.1 146.8 139.3 157.9 157.5

* More than 35% of the rates within the sample are supplied by one organization.
Note: Above compensation data are displayed in CAD $000 for a full-time equivalent employee, unless otherwise indicated.
All data are incumbent weighted.

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 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey
Classification Guide of Engineering Responsibility Levels
(Reproduced with the permission of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers)
Level of Responsibility LEVEL A
Duties Receives training in the various
phases of office, plant, field or
laboratory engineering work as
classroom instruction or on-the-
job assignments. Tasks assigned
include: preparation of simple
plans, designs, calculations, costs
and bills of material in accordance
with established codes, standards,
drawings or other specifications.
May carry out routine technical
surveys or inspections and
prepare reports.
Recommendations, Few technical decisions called for
Decisions and and these will be of routine nature
Commitments with ample precedent or clearly
defined procedures as guidance.
Supervision Received Works under close supervision.
Work is reviewed for accuracy and
adequacy and conformance with
prescribed procedures.
Leadership Authority May assign and check work of
and/or Supervision one to five technicians or helpers.
Exercised Does not supervise junior
engineers.
Guide to Entrance Bachelors degree in Engineering
Qualifications or Applied Science or its
equivalent with zero to two years
experience. Will not likely have
their P.Eng.
2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
LEVEL B
Normally regarded as a continuing
portion of an engineers training
and development. Receives
assignments of limited scope and
complexity, usually minor phases
of broader assignments. Uses a
variety of standard engineering
methods and techniques in
solving problems. Assists more
senior engineers in carrying out
technical tasks requiring accuracy
in calculations, completeness of
data and adherence to prescribed
testing, analysis, design or
computation methods.
Recommendations limited to
solution of the problem rather than
end results. Decisions made are
normally within established
guidelines.
Duties are assigned with detailed
oral and occasionally written
instructions, as to methods and
procedures to be followed.
Results are usually reviewed in
detail and technical guidance is
usually available.
May give technical guidance to
one or two junior engineers or
technicians assigned to work on a
common project.
Bachelors degree in Engineering
or Applied Science or its
equivalent, normally with two to
four years working experience
from the graduation level. May
have a P.Eng.
Classification Guide
LEVEL C
Generally would be a fully
qualified professional engineer.
Carries out responsible and varied
engineering assignments requiring
general familiarity with a broad
field of engineering and
knowledge of reciprocal effects of
the work upon other fields.
Problems usually solved by use of
combination of standard
procedures, modification of
standard procedures, or methods
developed in previous
assignments. Participates in
planning to achieve prescribed
objectives.
Makes independent studies,
analyses, interpretations and
conclusions. Difficult, complex or
unusual matters or decisions are
usually referred to more senior
authority.
Work is not generally supervised
in detail and amount of
supervision varies depending
upon the assignment. Usually
technical guidance is available to
review work programs and advise
on unusual features of
assignments.
May give technical guidance to
engineers of less standing or
technicians assigned to work on a
common project. Supervision
over other engineers not usually a
regular or continuing
responsibility.
Bachelors degree in Engineering
or Applied Science or its
equivalent, normally with four plus
years related working experience
from the graduation level.
Typically holds a P.Eng.
13
 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey
Classification Guide of Engineering Responsibility Levels
(Reproduced with the permission of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers)
Level of Responsibility LEVEL D
Duties First level of direct and sustained
supervision of other professional
engineers OR first level of full
specialization. Requires
application of mature engineering
knowledge in planning and
conducting projects having scope
for independent accomplishment
and co-ordination of difficult and
responsible assignments.
Assigned problems make it
necessary to modify established
guides, devise new approaches,
apply existing criteria in new
ways, and draw conclusions from
comparative situations.
Recommendations, Recommendations reviewed for
Decisions and soundness of judgment but
Commitments usually accepted as technically
accurate and feasible. Involved
with progressively larger financial
decisions.
Supervision Received Work is assigned in terms of
objectives, relative priorities and
critical areas that impinge on work
of other units. Work is carried out
within broad guidelines, but
informed guidance is available.
Leadership Authority Assigns and outlines work;
and/or Supervision advises on technical problems;
Exercised reviews work for technical
accuracy, and adequacy.
Supervision may call for
recommendations concerning
selection, training, rating and
discipline of staff.
Guide to Entrance Bachelors degree in Engineering
Qualifications or Applied Science or its
equivalent, normally with eight
plus years of experience in the
field of specialization from the
graduation level. Typically holds a
P.Eng.
2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
LEVEL E
Usually requires knowledge of
more than one field of engineering
OR performance by an
engineering specialist in a
particular field of engineering.
Participates in short and long
range planning; makes
independent decisions on work
methods and procedures within an
overall program. Originality and
ingenuity are required for devising
practical and economical solutions
to problems. May supervise large
groups containing both
professional and non-professional
staff; OR may exercise authority
over a small group of highly
qualified professional personnel
engaged in complex technical
applications.
Makes responsible decisions not
usually subject to technical review
on all matters assigned except
those involving large sums of
money or long range objectives.
Takes courses of action
necessary to expedite the
successful accomplishment of
assigned projects. Responsible for
some financial decisions.
Work is assigned only in terms of
broad objectives to be
accomplished, and is reviewed for
policy, soundness of approach
and general effectiveness.
Outlines more difficult problems
and methods of approach.
Coordinates work programs and
directs use of equipment and
material. Generally makes
recommendations as to the
selection, training, discipline and
remuneration of staff.
Bachelors degree in Engineering
or Applied Science or its
equivalent, normally with twelve
plus years of engineering and/or
administrative experience from the
graduation level. Typically holds a
P.Eng.
Classification Guide
LEVEL F
Usually responsible for an
engineering administrative
function, directing several
professional and other groups
engaged in interrelated
engineering responsibilities; OR
as an engineering consultant,
achieving recognition as an
authority in an engineering field of
major importance to the
organization. Independently
conceives programs and problems
to be investigated. Participates in
discussions, determining basic
operating policies, devising ways
of reaching program objectives in
the most economical manner and
of meeting any unusual conditions
affecting work progress.
Makes responsible decisions on
all matters, including the
establishment of policies and
expenditure of large sums of
money and/or implementation of
major programs, subject only to
overall company policy and
financial controls.
Receives administrative direction
based on organization policies
and objectives. Work is reviewed
to ensure conformity with policy
and coordination with other
functions.
Reviews and evaluates technical
work; selects, schedules, and
coordinates to attain program
objectives; and/or as an
administrator makes decisions
concerning selection, training,
rating, discipline and remuneration
of staff.
Bachelors degree in Engineering
or Applied Science or its
equivalent, normally with fifteen
plus years of engineering
experience, including responsible
administrative duties. Typically
holds a P.Eng.
14
 OSPE | 2014 Employer Compensation Survey Mercer Services

MERCER SERVICES
About Mercer
Mercer helps clients understand, develop, implement, and quantify the effectiveness of their human resource programs
and policies. Our goal is to help employers create measurable business results through their people.

We work with clients to address a broad array of their most important human resource issues, both domestically and
globally. We have specialist expertise in all areas of human resource consulting, including compensation, employee
benefits, communication, and human capital strategy. Of equal importance are our investment consulting expertise and
the solutions we provide in program administration.

With more than 20,000 employees serving clients from more than 180 cities and 40 countries and territories worldwide,
we have the local knowledge and worldwide presence to develop and implement global human resource solutions.
Mercers information services business is dedicated to helping our clients make decisions regarding HR-related matters
by providing timely, comprehensive, and high-quality HR information and metrics for any major location around the world.

Marsh & McLennan Companies is a global professional services firm with annual revenues exceeding $11 billion. It is the
parent company of Marsh Inc., the world's leading risk and insurance services firm; and Mercer Inc., a major global
provider of consulting services. More than 50,000 employees provide analysis, advice, and transactional capabilities to
clients in over 100 countries. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago, Pacific, and London stock
exchanges. Marsh & McLennan Companies website address is www.mmc.com.

2014 Mercer LLC and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers 15