In an attempt to quantify how salary is affected by responsibilities, the questionnaire also asked for the primary job function of the respondents. The results are shown in Figure 3 . It compares the median salary of 1997 and 1998 for 11 job functions. In eight of these categories, the median salary increased from 1997. And it pays to stay in school.
Education is one of the most important criteria in salary determination.
And, of course, the right education for the job is more rewarding as evidenced by slightly lower statistics for other B.S. degrees and B.A. degrees compared to B.S.E.E. degrees summarized in Figure 4 and Figure 5 . In all fairness, it should be pointed out that the earning time lost by those who delay their entry into the workforce to further their education is a trade-off against the higher salary commanded with the additional education. Other Results of Interest For the moment, put aside the understandable and worthwhile quest to locate some nugget of information to aid in increasing your compensation, and let's examine other results of the survey that are worth mentioning. Over half the respondents have internet access at both home and on the job. In a surprisingly positive discussion of downsizing, one respondent looked forward to becoming a contract employee with the opportunity for greater earnings.