ENGINEERS SURVIVAL 
GUIDE 
BY BASEL HAMMURI
 

 
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ENGINEERS SURVIVAL GUIDE 

TRUST ME, I’M AN ENGINEER... 

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This guide is dedicated to all the engineers around the world. I am by 
no means a genius. This is just my lessons learnt from my past 11 
years in the engineering industry. The advice in this guide should be 
taken with a grain of salt... 

“​If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always 
got…..​” 
-Basel Hammuri 

 
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SALARY 
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This is my salary guide for engineers after graduating from 
university: 

First 2 years - Graduate Engineer  

$50,000 -$60,000 AUD 

Year 2 to year 4 - Site Engineer 

$70,000 -$80,000 AUD 

Year 4 to year 6 - Project Engineer 

$80,000 -$100,000 AUD 

Year 6 to year 8 - Senior Project Engineer 

$90,000 -$110,000 AUD 

+8 Years - Construction Manager/Project Manager  

+$120,000 AUD 

In my experience the private sector pays more than the public sector. 

Construction companies generally pay engineers more than consulting 

firms (however, this is reversed once you pass 8 years experience). 

Smaller companies will pay engineers less, for doing more work. 

 
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BUILDING BRIDGES 
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Engineering is all about building bridges, both technically and 
metaphorically... 
 
The same engineer I worked with in Adelaide 2011, ended up being my 
boss in Sydney 2019... 
 
Never burn any bridges, if you leave a company, leave on good terms... 
 
Never compare yourself to other engineers, i have met 22 year old 
“Project Managers” while i was a 29 year old “Project Engineer”... 
 
Enjoy the ride... If you don’t like it then simply get off at the next 
station... 

 
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GOLDEN RULES 
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1. Don’t be late. 
2. Never wear shorts to the office (regardless of the temperature).  
3. Never sleep with anyone for career progression (period.). 
4. GET UP, DRESS UP, SHOW UP and NEVER GIVE UP! 
5. Engineering is all about networking. I have met some engineers 
with 99% technical knowledge but only 1% social skills. 
6. Never look down at anyone. A surveyor with 10 years experience is 
better than an engineer with 1 years experience. 
7. Always respect anyone older than you (regardless of job title) 
8. Work should only be 50% of your life. The other 50% should be 
dedicated to physical health, mental health and relationships. 
9. Never regret any difficult choices... After losing a job I really 
enjoyed, a worker passed away in my section of works and the new 
engineer is going through court. 
10. Money comes and goes... The peak of your career could be at 
27 or it can be 42... Enjoy the ride, not the prize. 

 
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LIFE ADVICE 
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The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there 
is... 
 
Surround yourself with successful people. You are who you spend the 
most time with (don’t be a stoner playing computer games all day...) 
 
If your job relocates you to another state (mine was South Australia…) 
then grab it with open arms. 
 
Stay in contact with your uni friends, they could be your next boss... 
(take photos with work colleagues, you’ll appreciate when you retire) 
 
Read whenever you get the chance, on the train, in your lunch break, 
even on the toilet... (my top 3 recommendation below)