Professional licensing questions/issues?
I started as a rod man 8 years ago at my company doing BTT/construction layout work for about a year making $12 before I became a chief for a year. I then spent a year in the office learning civil3d and how to communicate with my crews and clients mostly doing construction layout for high rise buildings, large apartments and resorts, multi family, and subdivisions. I have been the PM for our satellite office in central Florida and I run 7 crews (19) employees. I literally do everything from start to finish office side on my projects. Proposals, coordinating the field calcs, managing all of the crews daily work, all file management and organization, the only thing I don’t do is draft the asbuilts which I have a draftsman do for me. I still facilitate all matters with the asbuilts from county and client relations. I’ve been in that role for 5 years now and we’ve done over $9,000,000 in completed contracts. My PSM who runs our main office has washed his hands with me basically, he doesn’t check my work he doesn’t give me any help or advice, we have a good working relationship but he definitely likes that I’m independent and the only thing I ever need from him is to sign my stuff.
My dilemma is that I’m only making $41 an hour working 9-10 hours a day, I’m in my last semester of my geomatics program and am looking to be licensed before the end of this year. I know I can make much more money elsewhere and that I’m being taken advantage of, but if I left my company would my PSM sign for me when it comes time to test? (Florida). Could a new employee PSM sign off immediately after I graduate for my 5 years of responsible charge?
Sorry for the long story but any serious advice would be welcomed. It’s just really getting to me feeling undervalued and underpaid.
Posted Mar 6, 2026, 8:49 PM UTC