It has been 21 years since M&C began surveying meeting professionals to analyze trends in compensation and job satisfaction. The news this year: Since our last survey in 2012, corporate salaries are essentially unchanged at $75,969, while association planner pay dipped by about 2 percent to $73,741. Overall, planners earn an average base pay of $72,729 per year.
The gender-based pay gap is a gulf: Men earn about $30,000 more than female planners each year, although they tend to be a few years older, with more experience and longer hours (see our breakdown by job type).
One-third of respondents say they are less satisfied with their jobs this year than last.
Among other findings: Compensation for those who hold the Certified Meeting Professional designation continues to inch up (click here). This year, 34 percent of the 413 respondents are CMPs, up slightly from 32 percent in 2012. Those who are CMP-certified take home, on average, $77,986 per year, significantly higher than the $67,851 earned by planners who are not CMPs.
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34% are less satisfied with their jobs this year than last
43% report no change
19% are more satisfied with their jobs this year than last
Illustrations: (graduation) ©iStockphoto.com/irmetov; (financial concept) ©iStockphoto.com/JDawnink
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For working more than 40 hours per week:
18% of planners get comp time
8% receive overtime or bonus pay
6% are entitled to comp time but don't take it
69% do not get any compensation for working overtime
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Illustration: (Businessmen dollar) ©iStockphoto.com/danielfela