Should I be paid more?

This is a unique situation that I have been debating as of late.

Background: I graduated with a bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering in 2010. I found my first job at my current company in June 2011. The posting at the time was for Entry Level Supply Chain Industrial Engineer. It required 1-2 years experience which I had from internships.
After about 4 months on the job the HR department updated job titles in respect to responsibilities and to match what is common in other industries. My job title along with my fellow engineers was switched to Senior Industrial Engineer. I have exceeded expectations in the job and had an excellent end of year performance review.

Question: I currently get paid around 50k with a 15% bonus that is subject to performance and company goals. This pay is good for my region as an entry level industrial engineer. A senior industrial engineer average is more toward 82k. Since my work responsibilities and job title place me as a senior IE should I be paid more? My fellow senior IEs have about 3-4 more years experience on me, but they also make 80k+ and have the same workload for projects as I do. What are your thoughts and suggestions for this?

Thanks

Maybe someone in your field can give a better response, but this is my take:

From a quick search, it seems as if industrial engineers get salaries to other types of engineers. I have several friends in other engineering fields and when they started in 2008, they made similar to what you make now. (They had a higher base salary, but no chance of a bonus.) While you mentioned that you had a great review, you didn't mention if a raise was given at this time or if it comes later. You've only been in the position about 6 months (maybe 7). Given that you've had a great review and your title and responsibilities have changed, I bet you can negotiate a great raise when the time comes - maybe not exactly $80k, but enough that whatever a typical percentage raise for your company is will get you there after the "3-4 years more experience."

Good Luck!

phriot in Pembroke, Massachusetts said: Maybe someone in your field can give a better response, but this is my take:

From a quick search, it seems as if industrial engineers get salaries to other types of engineers. I have several friends in other engineering fields and when they started in 2008, they made similar to what you make now. (They had a higher base salary, but no chance of a bonus.) While you mentioned that you had a great review, you didn't mention if a raise was given at this time or if it comes later. You've only been in the position about 6 months (maybe 7). Given that you've had a great review and your title and responsibilities have changed, I bet you can negotiate a great raise when the time comes - maybe not exactly $80k, but enough that whatever a typical percentage raise for your company is will get you there after the "3-4 years more experience."

Good Luck!

** "... salaries similar to other types of engineers ..."

See that is why I wanted to pose the question and get some feedback. It's a tough call since the type of work I do is senior IE level, yet my years of experience puts me more toward the normal IE level. I do not in anyway expect to make 80k. I just know after looking at salary.com that the bottom 10% wage for a senior IE is 66k. Even with my bonus being the full 15% I come out around 58k.

Also, if I were to yield the top 4% merit increase each year I would not be at my fellow IE's current salary when I would have their years of experience.

I'm looking to see if I have grounds for a discussion with HR.