2007 Salary Survey

Are you earning as much as you deserve? While 67 percent of the respondents to M&C’s 2007 Salary Survey are somewhat or extremely satisfied with their compensation, 76 percent of the 554 corporate and association planners who weighed in did say more money would make them happier.

One of the best ways to argue for a raise is to steer the conversation away from emotions and come armed with statistics. To help fill your arsenal, M&C’s report looks at the base pay, bonuses, benefits, satisfaction levels and more of corporate and association meeting planners around the country.

The good news: Base salaries are up since our 2005 survey, by 10 percent for association planners and 16 percent for corporate planners. One reason for this jump might be attributed to planners’ experience, which is deeper in this year’s survey. Two years ago, our respondents had been in the business on average about 12 years; this year, both corporate and association planners have been working on meetings for 14 years.

To compile this information, M&C turned to San Diego-based CIC Research, which conducted an online survey this past spring. The independent market-research firm then analyzed responses from 352 corporate planners and 202 of their association colleagues.

Industry changes

The difference between the base salaries in the industry’s two segments has widened, with corporate planners now making in excess of $10,000 more than association planners; that gap was only about $6,000 in 2005.

Both the corporate and association worlds have aged a bit. In 2005, the average age for both sides was 44 years old. The average age for the corporate planners in the 2007 sample is 46, and the average age for the association planner is 47.

The percentage of Certified Meeting Professionals has risen, while the percentage of planners who have received the Certification in Meeting Management has fallen. The number of corporate planners with a CMP went from 19 percent to 24 percent; for association planners, that number went from 23 percent to 26 percent. Just 2 percent of the corporate sample have earned the CMM designation, compared with 4 percent in 2005, and just one person from the association sample, compared with 1 percent two years ago. Just over 2 percent of the association planners surveyed are Certified Association Executives.

Holding a certification can make a big difference in take-home pay. Corporate CMPs make an average of $79,462, $7,500 more than the overall average, and those with their CMM earn an average of $91,429. Association CMPs take home an average of $71,011.

The following pages offer an in-depth look at salary breakdowns, planners’ stress levels, benefits and more.

CORPORATE PLANNERS

In compiling the M&C 2005 Salary Survey two years ago, we noted that corporate compensation had been affected by the years following 9/11, with planners taking a 6 percent cut since the 2001 Salary Survey. This year, those numbers rebounded, rising 16 percent over the 2005 number to $71,929, which is 8 percent more than planners reported earning in pre-9/11 2001.

Planners on all rungs of the corporate ladder answered the survey, from entry-level newbies to executives earning more than $150,000. Fewer people are working from the low end, receiving less than $40,000, with 8 percent reporting earnings in that range, compared with the 13 percent whose base pay was less than $40,000 in 2005.

The bulk of the 352 people who took the survey (53 percent) are paid between $40,000 and $69,999. The next 22 percent earn between $70,000 and $99,999; 10 percent receive a base salary from $100,000 to $124,999; and 7 percent earn upward of $125,000, with 16 people commanding salaries of $150,000 or more.

For those thinking of relocating, the region to head for as a corporate planner still is the Pacific coast (Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington), where the average salary is $76,545, an 8 percent rise since 2005. The Middle Atlantic states (New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) take second place with an average base salary of $75,474; New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont) is third, with $74,028.

Looking at salaries by age range, those 20 to 24 years old make the least, at an average of $35,000, with those 65 or older making the most, at $84,286 a year. But in between, they fluctuate, with base salary rising to $76,927 for those 40 to 44 years old, and $79,777 for the 45-to-49 group. The average falls to $71,132 for planners 50 to 54 and comes back up to $74,000 for ages 55 to 59. The seasoned veterans, at 60 to 64 years old, average $82,917 a year.

In 2006, 75 percent of the sample received a raise, the salaries of 23 percent remained the same, and 2 percent suffered a decrease. Almost half (48 percent) already have received a raise this year, while 36 percent last got an increase in 2006, 10 percent got their most recent raise in 2005, 2 percent have been waiting since 2004 for an increase, and 4 percent said it has been since 2003 or earlier that they last saw more money in their paychecks.

Battle of the sexes

While the overwhelming number of respondents to the 2007 salary survey were women (82 percent), the men still earn significantly more ($94,342 vs. $67,079), meaning women planners are earning about 71 cents for every dollar a man earns. This is below the national workforce average, as the most recent statistics from the U.S. Census show women made 77 cents on the men’s dollar in 2005.

The 2007 Salary Survey also shows men hold more executive titles (44 percent are in corporate/executive management) than women (51 percent of whom are in meeting planning or convention management). About 16 percent of the women hold executive titles.

The men surveyed are older and have been in the business longer, with an average age of 51 and 16 years as planners. The women averaged 45 years old with 13 years in planning. The men work 49-hour weeks, while the women spend a similar 47 hours a week on the job.

Company time

To dive deeper into planners’ work lives, the 2007 Salary Survey asked questions about how their time is spent and what their job responsibilities are.

Breaking down the numbers on corporate planners’ work weeks, the largest percentage (30 percent) spend 46 to 50 hours a week on the job, while 12 percent spend 51 to 55 hours a week working and 17 percent work more than 56 hours. Taking it a little easier are the 21 percent who spend 41 to 45 hours a week on the job and 20 percent putting in 40 or fewer hours. The average for corporate planners is 46 hours a week. When they put in more than 40 hours a week, just 21 percent receive overtime pay or comp time.

Respondents were split widely on the amount of time they spend on meetings-related tasks during their workdays. Ten percent of those surveyed spend 20 percent or less of their time on meetings, while 18 percent of the sample spends 21 to 40 percent of their time planning. Fifteen percent of the respondents focus on planning for 41 to 60 percent of their workday, and 21 percent work on meetings 61 to 80 percent of their time. The largest group (36 percent) spends 81 to 100 percent of their time planning. On average, those surveyed spend 61 percent of their time on meeting planning tasks.

Most planners surveyed still are responsible for logistics, with 86 percent influencing hotel/facility selection, 84 percent influencing the destination selection and 58 percent setting budgets. Making the final decision on the hotel/facility are 47 percent of the sample, and 38 percent are setting the agenda. About 38 percent also make the final decision on the destination.

Just a feeling

Corporate meeting planners definitely are stressed. The largest percentage (44 percent) describe their stress level as moderate, while 37 percent report high stress levels and 11 percent consider their stress levels very high. Just 8 percent are working under low or very low stress.

There’s not much that planners dislike about their jobs, however. Some elements they enjoy include helping clients get the best value for their money (96 percent rated it somewhat or very satisfying), the variety of tasks (96 percent), the opportunity to interact with different customers or with many people (96 percent), and helping clients make decisions (95 percent). Overall, 96 percent of the respondents are somewhat or very satisfied with their jobs.

What would make corporate planners happier at work? Topping the list by a wide margin, not surprisingly, is more money, cited by 76 percent. Next on the list of popularity: more respect and appreciation from management, chosen by 45 percent of the sample. About 43 percent would like better advancement opportunities, and 39 percent would be happier with less pressure and stress. People seem to be happy with their current amount of travel, as only 15 percent would like to travel more and 8 percent would like to travel less.

Overall, 48 percent of corporate meeting planners are just as satisfied with their jobs as they were a year ago. About 32 percent are more satisfied and 20 percent are less satisfied. Marrying job satisfaction with compensation, 16 percent said they are extremely satisfied with their salaries in relation to their job responsibilities; 52 percent are somewhat satisfied; 24 percent are not very satisfied, and 8 percent are extremely unsatisfied.

Corporate planners feel confident in their positions. Fully 93 percent of the sample feel somewhat to very secure in their jobs, with 28 percent saying they feel very secure.

Supplements

Working for corporations, many of these planners receive extras beyond their base salaries.

Last year, cash bonuses were given to 55 percent of the respondents; on average, they received $5,332. Just 28 percent participated in profit sharing in 2006, for an average of $5,235.

As for benefits, the average number of vacation days is 17 and the average number of sick days is eight. Just over 87 percent receive health insurance, 72 percent get life insurance, 68 percent receive dental insurance and 65 percent get disability insurance. Paid personal days are available to 61 percent of the sample, and 53 percent have access to tuition reimbursement. But fewer than half (46 percent) get paid back for their membership dues in professional societies.

Some corporate planners can arrange their workdays to fit their needs: 28 percent are offered flex time, and 22 percent can telecommute. Furthermore, 7 percent are reimbursed for child care and 6 percent get a company car.

ASSOCIATION PLANNERS

Salaries are ratcheting upward for association planners, according to M&C’s 2007 Salary Survey, and the numbers are particularly heartening for women in the field.

From 2005 to 2007, the average base salary rose from $56,100 to $61,561, a 10 percent jump. The bulk of the 202 association meeting planners who responded (60 percent) earn between $40,000 and $69,999, while 13 percent earn less than $40,000. On the higher end, 17 percent take home from $70,000 to $89,999, 8 percent have base salaries in the $90,000-to-$124,999 range and 2 percent earn $125,000 or more.

The good news for women association planners, who made up 83 percent of the association respondents: This year’s survey shows they make a touch more than men, taking home an average of $61,582 compared to $61,452 for the men. Two years ago, the women averaged $53,400 to the men’s $71,000, just 75 cents on the dollar.

The distribution of association planner titles reflects this parity, as the bulk of both women (76 percent) and men (73 percent) are meeting planners, coordinators, managers or directors. No men reported that they are assistants to association executives, while 3 percent of the women are. Two percent of the women also handle marketing for their organizations. Nine percent of the men and 5 percent of the women are directors of education; 3 percent of the men and 1 percent of the women are board members; and 15 percent of the men and 13 percent of the women report they hold other association titles.

The women weighing in from this side of the meetings industry are four years younger than the men (46 vs. 50). And the men have been in the business slightly longer, averaging 15 years as planners compared to 14 years for the women.

Looking at the salary ranges by gender, the bulk of the men (49 percent) make between $50,000 and $79,999, while the largest number of the women (64 percent) earn $40,000 to $69,999. But more men (23 percent) than women (12 percent) are earning on the lower end, at less than $39,999. And on the high end, no men reported earning above $150,000, while two women are pulling in those big dollars. Still, 6 percent of both men and women say they earn above $100,000.

Parsing the salary ranges by age, the youngest and the oldest are making the least, as respondents aged 25 to 29 and those 65 and older average $45,000 a year. Those 50 to 54 years old make the most at $70,900, followed by the 60- to 64-year-olds at $67,000. The average salary for association planners in their 40s is about $63,850, respondents aged 55 to 59 earn $59,583, the 30- to 34-year-olds have a base salary of $55,000, and those 35 to 39 years of age make $59,400.

State to state

Scanning the country according to base salary, association planners in the Mountain region (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) are living the relative high life with annual earnings of $65,833. Next is the South Atlantic (Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Maryland; North Carolina; South Carolina; Virginia; Washington, D.C., and West Virginia), at $65,121. Third place goes to the East North Central (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin), with an average of $62,708.

In the West South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas), base pay averages $62,167, followed by the Pacific states (Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington), where association planners make $60,714. The Middle Atlantic states (New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) are next with an average base salary of $57,596.

The bottom two regional averages drop quite a bit, with salaries at $52,500 in the West North Central States (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota), and much lower at $43,333 in the East South Central region (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee).

The one person who weighed in on the association side from New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont) earns $95,000 a year.

Evaluating association planners’ education, the largest number of the respondents (44 percent) hold four-year college degrees; the next largest group (25 percent) say they have completed some college. Sixteen percent have taken some graduate courses or finished that degree, and 2 percent have worked on or completed their doctorate. The remainder report that high school is the furthest they went with their education (5 percent) or they have a two-year college degree (8 percent).

Recent actions

Almost all of the association planners surveyed (85 percent) received a raise in 2006, while the salaries of the rest stayed the same. Forty percent of the sample already have seen an increase this year, while 50 percent got their most recent raise last year.

Nearly half (48 percent) of the respondents received a cash bonus in 2006. The average boost to their paychecks was $3,233. As for profit-sharing, only 11 percent are offered such a plan, receiving an average of $3,953.

Just like their corporate counterparts, 16 percent of association planners surveyed are extremely satisfied with their compensation in relation to their job responsibilities, while 51 percent are somewhat satisfied. Almost one-third (29 percent) are not very satisfied; 4 percent are extremely unsatisfied.

As for how they feel about their work situations on the whole, 32 percent of the association planners are happier with their jobs than they were a year ago, while 45 percent have experienced no change in their satisfaction level. Less pleased with their jobs are 21 percent of the respondents, while 2 percent might have changed jobs recently, as they indicated the question was not applicable.

Working with a variety of people tops the list of reasons association planners like their jobs, as the opportunity to interact with different customers or with many people was chosen as somewhat or very satisfying by 98 percent of the sample. Next was the variety of tasks (96 percent), followed by helping clients get the best value for their money (94 percent), the opportunity to travel (92 percent), helping clients make decisions (90 percent), and participating in educational activities and events (88 percent). Overall, 94 percent of association respondents are somewhat or very satisfied with their jobs.

Of course, they could be happier, especially with bigger paychecks. Three-quarters of those surveyed say more money would increase their job satisfaction. Following at a distance are less pressure and stress (46 percent), and more respect and appreciation from management (43 percent).

The bulk of association respondents (48 percent) rate their job anxiety level as moderate. Nearly one-third (31 percent) call their stress level high, and 11 percent consider it very high. Ten percent of the sample are chilling out with low or very low stress levels.

Association planners have been in the business for an average of 14 years, and 44 percent intend to continue in this field indefinitely. Another 23 percent envision working on meetings for the next six to 10 years. They aren’t worried about their current positions, either, as 77 percent feel secure or very secure in their jobs, and 20 percent feel somewhat secure. Just 3 percent aren’t so sure their positions are stable.

Day to day

Looking at how association planners spend their time on the job, the largest percentage (29 percent) work 41 to 45 hours a week, while 23 percent put in 46 to 50 hours a week, 10 percent spend 51 to 55 hours a week at work and 10 percent work 56 hours or more. On the other side of the average are the 28 percent putting in 40 or fewer hours. The average association planner works 43 hours a week.

Among those who work more than 40 hours, just 19 percent receive overtime pay or comp time.

Compared with their corporate colleagues, who spend an average of 61 percent of their time on meeting planning tasks, association respondents are a bit more focused on the industry, spending an average of 66 percent of their time planning, implementing and/or making final decisions on events. Almost 40 percent of the sample say their job responsibilities are all about meetings, spending 81 to 100 percent of their day on such tasks, with 24 percent working on meetings 61 to 80 percent of the time. Sixteen percent focus on meetings for 41 to 60 percent of their work day, and 21 percent spend 40 percent or less of their day on events.

Most association planners, 86 percent, say they influence hotel or facility selection and destination selection. A large portion of the group (71 percent) also set the meeting budget. Considering how much of association planning can depend on member committees, it is no surprise that fewer than half of the respondents (48 percent) make the final decision on the hotel or facility, or set the agenda (47 percent). Just 37 percent make the final decision on the destination.

The little extras

M&C’s 2007 Salary Survey also asked association planners about the benefits they receive. On average, respondents get 16 vacation days and 10 sick days. Ninety percent receive health insurance, 67 percent get life insurance, 66 percent receive dental insurance and 51 percent get disability insurance. More association planners (62 percent) than corporate planners (46 percent) have their professional society dues paid for by their organizations.

Sixty-four percent of the association planners surveyed can avail themselves of paid personal days. Only 43 percent are entitled to some tuition reimbursement for continuing education.

More association planners (32 percent) than corporate planners (28 percent) can work their own schedules with flex time, but just 16 percent can telecommute, compared with 22 percent of corporate planners. Just 2 percent of association respondents are reimbursed for child care.