Engineer pay a concern for UDOT

Published: Thursday, July 5, 2007 12:09 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Cushy state benefits and a job overseeing billion-dollar road projects are no longer enough to keep top engineers working for the state, according to John Njord, director of the Utah Department of Transportation.

Attracting and retaining engineers is one of his top five worries as department head, Njord said Friday to a gathering of state lawmakers who were at UDOT most of the day to review its budget and operations.

The meeting was part of an annual trip to the agency by the Legislature's Transportation, Environmental Quality and National Guard Appropriations Subcommittee.

"We have a number of what we call star performers that have left for significantly more than a 30 percent increase in pay," Njord said. "We are concerned about personnel and some of the trends here at UDOT."

On average, UDOT pays its starting engineers about $38,000 a year. Private firms in Utah typically start engineers around $50,000 a year and higher, deputy director Carlos Braceras said.

The agency has about 300 engineers, and its turnover rate is 15 percent to 30 percent in some areas. Last year, it was unable to recruit any new engineers from the University of Utah to come and work.

Story continues below

UDOT typically recruits new employees from the University of Utah, Brigham Young University and Utah State University. The U. graduated about 85 civil engineers last year — a record number for the school.

"The benefits don't do it," Braceras said.

Njord added: "It's not enough to cover this kind of gap."

In addition, the state Department of Transportation says it is also facing another year of increased costs for construction materials. In the past three years, costs have increased 30 percent. Typically that number is about 3 percent to 4 percent.

UDOT did not ask lawmakers for any additional funding but said that the agency wanted them to be aware of the challenges.


E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

First, when someone says "No one is immune from the adversary. Satan works...

Jazz brass debate Millsap match

I can only imagine the frustration in Utah over the Blazers signing Millsap....

unless you want to be the laughing stock of the NBA. You are going to get...

I need to point out Davis High School. They swept region this past year and...

Did you know that more people die each year from Cardiac Arrest that those...

O'Connor is getting worked...bad. He would not be very good at poker. He's...

Nothing to say!!!!!!

Mike prayers are with you and your family. I don't believe and of these...

Jazz brass debate Millsap match

There will be a 3 way trade, Portland will get the player they want out of...

It was not that long ago that all vaccinations were given during school. Of...

Advertisements