February /March 2004

Volume 44, Number 4

2003 STC RMC Salary Survey results

by Molly Malsam

Since 1995, the Rocky Mountain Chapter has conducted a salary survey every two years. In 2003, we surveyed our members again, but this time we invited members to complete their survey online rather than by mail. Because Internet access has become the norm, especially among those in technical fields, we hoped to take advantage of the cost and time savings associated with online surveys. 

After overcoming a few initial problems, many members reported that the survey was convenient and easy to complete. However, the percentage of members who completed the survey was lower than in past years. The response rate for the 2003 survey was 34 percent, down from 52 percent in 2001. Because a number of other factors may affect the response rate, it would be premature to assume that the online instrument was the reason for the decline in voting. Yet, these results may indicate that people do not respond to online surveys as readily as those sent by mail. Other anecdotal evidence suggests lower response rates for online surveys, but response rates may increase in the future as people become more comfortable using online methods to conduct various activities.

Overall, the survey results point to a steady year with few changes, reflecting the state of the national economy. The median income for all respondents remained $62,500, the same median reported in the 2001 survey. Median incomes by education level and years of experience remained constant as well, with only those respondents either holding doctoral degrees or having 16 or more years of experience showing an increase in the median income level since 2001 (doctoral from $65,000 to $87,500, and 16 or more years of experience from $67,500 to $72,500). Median incomes by employment level are varied. Those respondents who classified themselves as mid-level or senior-level supervisors have seen their median income increase since 2001 (mid-level from $62,500 to $80,000, and senior-level from $72,500 to $87,500). It appears that gender equality has been achieved in 2003: results from both male and female respondents indicate the same median income of $62,500.

In terms of job satisfaction and importance ratings, results revealed that respondents were most dissatisfied in the areas of job security, perceived value, skills development, and creative opportunities, in that order. They report being most satisfied with telecommuting, workplace tools, continuing education opportunities, and flexibility in work schedules.

Since 2001, we have asked members questions relating to unemployment. In 2003, we found that seven percent of respondents were laid off at some point in the year, and it took an average of seven months to find another position.

We had a small number of respondents--19 members--who classified themselves as independent contractors (including those who do not mainly work through employment agencies). For independents, the median hourly rate has gone down since the 2001 survey, from $50 to $48 per hour. More than half of the respondents said that their rate depends on the service they are providing. The highest median hourly rate, $75, is charged for user interface/human factors services, followed by project management at a median of $60 per hour. The median number of hours billed per year was 1178. Respondents reported using contacts or networking as their primary source for finding clients.

A complete, illustrated report of these findings will be available on www.stcrmc.org shortly. Check the home page for an announcement and a link to the results!