u/Brayden15

Keeping this short and sweet

Currently at a start up company as a project manager and estimator. I'm getting paid $25/hr with overtime. Averaging like 48 hours a week but pushing 60 in the last few weeks as I'm trying to bring my first commercial TI project to a close. Project contract value was 400k. It was an office conversion to an autism therapy clinic. Been with the company for 11 months. Familiar with AIA contracts already. Been running this project pretty much by myself picking most of my subs and handling client communication and budgeting.

I'm still a student 2/3 into my degree program pursuing a BAS at my local college. Can I get picked up easily by a larger firm for a PE position? I feel like I could easily be slotted into that role as I wouldnt have to be taught much. I think I would get better mentorship at a larger firm?

Let me know what you guys think.

I'm interviewing for a PE position on Wednesday. Just wanted to gauge the people here and see what the general experience has been working for this company.

Currently working for a construction start up and trying to figure out where to go long term.

Hello,

I'm in the DFW construction market for context.

I currently work as a Project Manager for a startup construction company owned by a friend of mine. We're both relatively young, but the company is growing quickly and has several million dollars' worth of projects either under contract or in the pipeline this year. I genuinely believe he has the potential to build this into a very large company over time.

That said, I'm still early in my career and trying to evaluate my long-term opportunities. A friend of mine works as a Project Engineer at Swinerton and earns roughly $75,000 in base salary, with bonuses and benefits bringing his total compensation package to around $110,000 annually. He also typically works around 40 hours per week.

In comparison, I'm earning approximately $62,000 per year and generally working between 45 and 55 hours per week. While I see significant upside potential if my current company continues to grow, I'm trying to determine whether staying with a rapidly growing startup is the right move versus pursuing opportunities with a larger, more established contractor.

I finish my CM bachelors degree by may 2028. I would have it sooner but they can't give me the classes fast as I want it unfortunately. I'm currently leading a 400k TI project with 27% profit margin. I've got 1.5 years in CM experience. I was a painter for 10 years prior since I was 12.

What would you guys do? Am I potentially shooting myself in the foot by wanting to jump ship now or should I wait for my buddy's company to explode in evaluation as he has expressed the potential for me to become a director of operations eventually. But I really would appreciate a bump in pay right now which is why I'm on the fence.