# Salary Update for Employed Specifiers
**URL:** https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689
**Category:** Archive - Specifications Discussions #3
**Created:** [February 1, 2007, 6:36am UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689 "2007-02-01T06:36:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/21 "2007-02-06T18:28:26Z")
40 years experience (20 as spec writer), AIA, CSI, CCS
Middle Atlantic Region, Offices in Delaware Valley area.
Current firm 55 in 3 offices.
40 hours/week, flex-time, personal time off.
80k plus mid and end of year bonus based on profitability.
401K with company match.
Good company paid benefits package (includes spouse coverage).
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2007, 11:17pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/22 "2007-02-06T23:17:40Z")
25 years experience, 10 as spec writer
AIA CSI CCS CCCA
200+ total staff in several offices
Supervise several spec writers
Southeast region
45-50 hours/week
3 week vacation
85k plus 2 or 3% bonus varies
small 401k match varies
Decent medical policy
Significant ownership option unlikely
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/23 "2007-02-07T00:59:39Z")
Please forward this thread on to all the employed specifiers you know. The more data we have the better.
I am currently compiling the data and setting up a spreadsheet. I will share results when I get more data.
Anon in Pittsburgh who is making 55K, I need to know your years of experience and years writing specs.
Those of you who wrote only years of experience I will assume that these in in writing specs, not a mix of architecture and specs.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2007, 1:25am UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/24 "2007-02-07T01:25:34Z")
25+ years experience, last 13 as spec writer
AIA CSI CCS
70 in home office with 5 in branch office
Northeast region
45-50 hours/week
5 weeks of vacation plus 1 week sick leave
85k plus 5% bonus
50% 401k match
ok medical policy
stock ownership offered
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2007, 1:29pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/25 "2007-02-07T13:29:24Z")
Poor in Pittsburgh here, have 20 years exp. 12 years writing specs. CCS and LEED AP.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/26 "2007-02-07T13:57:59Z")
27 years architectural experience; last 18 devoted exclusively to CA (about 60%) and specs (about 40%);
CCS; not registered architect;
115+ person office in south-central US;
$90K plus bonus(es) (grossed about $104K in 2006);
Good benefits;
Average 45 - 48 hours per week annually.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2007, 2:13pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/27 "2007-02-07T14:13:10Z")
I think I need to relocate …
Approximately 25 years experience
CSI, CCS, not registered
Approximately 60 person firm
Central Ohio
45 hours a week typical, more depending on deadlines
3 weeks of vacation, 1 week sick
55K plus, bonuses only when the firm makes a profit
Decent benefits but new medical insurance as of first of year has been a pain in the neck so far
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### Author:  [@wpegues](https://forum.4specs.com/u/wpegues)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2007, 2:30pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/28 "2007-02-07T14:30:39Z")
To Ohio, that salary level is just under the ‘75 percentile’ for 5 years experience AND working under another senior specifier or someone else in charge of specifications. And that is for Columbus, Ohio specifically.
I think its very valuable to see these postings, but you can also get some general feel by going to…
[http://salary.hotjobs.com/](http://salary.hotjobs.com/)
Under Architecture they list Specifications Writer, though reading the summary the experience is for not a senior positiong but someone of 5 or so years of experience working under someone elses supervision. You can use the ‘basic’ report for free and still customize it to the specific city location.
They also list a variety of other architectural positions which can be checked for their descriptions to find something more equivalent to your level than the level of specifier they list.
William
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### Author:  [@Unregistered\_Guest](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Unregistered_Guest)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2007, 2:51pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/29 "2007-02-07T14:51:52Z")
$85K, plus bonus ($3K this year as new employee, and profits under target. Next year: maybe $10K.)
CCS, CCCA, not registered.
25 years experience as specifier and contract administrator.
Northeast region, A/E firm with 80 or so architects.
40 hour week, paid overtime(!), decent benefits.
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### Author:  [@hollyrob](https://forum.4specs.com/u/hollyrob)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2007, 3:01pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/30 "2007-02-07T15:01:06Z")
Could we start indicating gender? I am curious to see whether the female specifiers are poorly-compensated in comparison with male specifiers.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2007, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/31 "2007-02-07T17:21:25Z")
I’m female
making $140K plus benefits (all health care paid, vision, dental, 6 weeks time off, bonus, profit share, all CSI and AIA expenses paid) 30 years experience. California firm; international projects.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2007, 6:17pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/32 "2007-02-07T18:17:50Z")
Here are the results so far:
Average Salary: $84.3K
Average Years Experience: 27.0
Average Years in Specs: 17.2
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2007, 11:26pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/33 "2007-02-08T23:26:07Z")
$83.5K, avg. bonus $2K.
45 hr/week, much more w/deadlines. Overtime “recognized” only when each project is profitable. Duh! Who decides that?
30 years experience (as of today!) 22 yrs. writing specs, (the last) 17 as fulltime specifier.
RA in 3 states, NCARB certified.
CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA & LEED AP.
150 person firm (incl. 1 other fulltime specifier).
Northeast region.
Decent benefits. 3 wks vacation. 5 days sick time.
401k match varies - never exceeds 10%.
No ownership potential.
No management/supervisory responsibility.
No membership in boys club.
Hmmm…falling behind previous post.
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### Author:  [@redseca2](https://forum.4specs.com/u/redseca2)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2007, 12:55am UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/34 "2007-02-09T00:55:05Z")
Do we specification writers ever become principals or partners or whatever your firm calls them? My firm has “Practice Area Directors” and “Associate Principals” but these tend to be like coming in 4th in the Olympic marathon…
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2007, 3:09pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/35 "2007-02-09T15:09:01Z")
Anonymous who posted on Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 04:13 pm: I’m female.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/36 "2007-02-09T16:11:06Z")
Male, 6 foot, 217 pounds
NW region
39 years 8 months experience in profession; writing specs since 1973.
Duties include: Specifications, QA/QC reviews, mentoring/continuing education for interns, risk management, some AtuoCAD, internal newsletter.
$86.6K base salary; average yearly bonus of late 8-10% but always descretional.
40hr/week, more w/deadlines.
No over time compensation for salaried employees.
Not registered.
Let membership in CSI lapse.
Achieved CCS in 1990, SCIP affiliate.
90 person firm, A/ID/Planning (incl. 1 other fulltime specifier).
Decent benefits. 4 wks PTO but includes sick leave.
401k with match matching contributions after certain period of time which I cannot remember.
Decent healthcare/dental/vision. Employee premiums paid for by employer (includes spouse coverage but for extra cost to employee).
Flex spending account for out of pocket medical expenses.
Public transportation or parking costs subsidized.
CSI expenses paid (dues and conventions)
No ownership potential.
No management responsibility.
Performance appraisals once per year.
RE: CSI membership.
The benefits gained from the current network of contributors to [4Specs.com](http://4Specs.com) discussion forums far outweighs the benefits I receive(d) from CSI, but do enjoy the comradery of the local CSI membership.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2007, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/37 "2007-02-09T17:41:29Z")
Since we are reposting with more detail…
- Male.
- 30 years as an internal specifier, degree in architecture but not a registered architect.
- FCSI, CCS.
- Middle Atlantic Region (primary office with staff 140 and including another specifier).
- 2nd office of 40 in South Central Region.
- Head of specifications for entire firm, responsible for all projects including scheduling of project manuals.
- 45 hours a week average over a year.
- 117k plus quarterly bonuses based on % profit of firm.
- Very good benefits including paid long term care, 401k with regular firm contributions, 5 weeks vacation, paid travel, hotel and registration to CSI national convention as well as CSI region conferences including days at both billed to general overhead (not vacation).
- Flexible spending with pre-tax dollars for medical, child care and public transportation and (when car pooling and parking in the building parking with Directors and above having free parking in the building [downtown metropolitan area])
- Paid membership in professional organizations.
- Management Responsibilities: Principal level in the firm specifically in charge of specifications and controlling coordination requirements between specifications and drawings firm wide. Decision maker on suitability and quality of all products for all projects firm wide. Coordination and recommendation of firm’s contract and proposal language. Coordination and approval of firms technical and educational seminars and suitability of product presentation seminars. Internal mentor program, employee reviews, employee bonus recommendations and other internal functional management responsibilities.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/38 "2007-02-09T19:18:22Z")
It looks like that, of the two specifiers that reported to be female, one is third from the lowest paid (of the 24 on the list so far)and the other is by far the highest paid of anybody (by 23k.) The average wage for the 2 women is therefore 105k while the total average is 89.3K. I guess you can’t really draw any accurate conclusions from that.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2007, 7:33pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/39 "2007-02-09T19:33:12Z")
I think you are forgetting the bonuses potential.
The 140k salary is nice and great to be consistent. But the 117k the bonuses came to an additional 60k for the year as an average. They are not true ‘bonuses’ as they are truly profit sharing as a principal.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/salary-update-for-employed-specifiers/689/40 "2007-02-12T20:53:27Z")
okay, fine. you win. bonuses are inconsistent, and you can’t get a mortgage using them; my former firm paid me a bonus of 25% a year of my salary; my current firm has simply said that I will be “very comfortable” at the end of the year. I haven’t been here long enough to know what that means.
as for being female: I think after a certain point in your career, it stops being that relevant. you either can go toe-to-toe or you can’t. it does make you more visible at management, and there are both good and bad points to that. good: you’re more visible. bad: you’re more visible.
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