PrimeSearch's 1999 Salary Survey
Results
Great news. Participation
in the 1999 Salary Survey was up 41% from 1998. While averages are lower,
increased participation provides a much more accurate picture as to where
salaries are within the Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity profession.
Also new for the 1999 Survey was the way in which data was collected and
assimilated. Those who completed the survey online recognized that data salary
and experience were given in ranges vs. actual amounts. Attendees of the Spring
2000 Disaster Recovery Journal Conference in San Diego also noticed that we had
data forms to complete there as well. We continue to review the methods in
which we collect data to provide the best information possible for the
industry. Your continued feedback and input is GREATLY appreciated.
On to the Survey
results……
For 1999, we once again
wanted to identify the variance in salary between certified and non-certified
individuals.
|
|
SALARY |
BONUS |
TOTAL |
|
Non Certified |
$59,306 |
$3,489 |
$62,795 |
|
Average |
$65,950 |
$4,857 |
$70,807 |
|
Certified |
$69,367 |
$5,560 |
$74,927 |
This is only the second
year that PrimeSearch has collected data on both certified and non-certified
individuals. Previous to 1998, data was only collected on those who were
certified planners. The following is the trend for income for both certified
and non-certified participants:
|
|
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
|
Non-Certified |
No Data |
$70,223 |
$62,795 |
|
Certified |
$69,643 |
$74,269 |
$74,927 |
As you can see, annual
income for certified professionals continues to rise; though at a much slower
pace than previous years. For non-certified professionals, the variance in
salary was approximately $7,428. The 10.58%
reduction in average income is most
likely due to the
additional participation by those that are either a) new to the workforce, or
b) new to the industry.
Of those who responded to
the survey, 66% had attained certification from the Disaster Recovery Institute
International. Although that number is down from 68% in 1998, the gap in income
between certified and non-certified individuals has increased dramatically.
|
|
Salary |
Bonus |
Total |
|
1998 |
$4,025 |
$21 |
$4,046 |
|
1999 |
$10,061 |
$2,071 |
$12,132 |
The difference in income
between those certified and those non-certified was 5.8% in 1998. In 1999, the
income differential climbed to 16.19%. This could be due to greater demand for
certified individuals by hiring companies. >From a job placement perspective,
most assignments we see list certification as desired, some even required.
Regarding college degrees,
69% of respondents had received a college degree. That is consistent with last
years 70%. The gap between those with degrees and those without degrees did
diminish in the 1999 Survey. For this year, the numbers are as follows:
|
|
SALARY |
BONUS |
TOTAL |
|
Degreed |
$66,304 |
$5,647 |
$71,951 |
|
Non-Degreed |
$65,167 |
$3,109 |
$68,276 |
|
Variance |
$1,137 |
$2,538 |
$3,675 |
Data collected once again
supported that job level was a major factor in determining annual income.
|
|
Salary |
Bonus |
Total |
|
BC Manager |
$77,448 |
$5,080 |
$82,528 |
|
Professional |
$59,776 |
$3,416 |
$63,192 |
Where do Disaster
Recovery/Business Continuity Professionals earn the highest annual salary? The
results for 1999 say the big winner is Boston. The results for Boston, as well
as other major markets is as follows:
|
|
Salary |
Bonus |
Total |
|
Boston |
$92,400 |
$15,000 |
$107,400 |
|
San Francisco |
$81,800 |
$9,400 |
$91,200 |
|
Los Angeles |
$66,000 |
$7,300 |
$73,300 |
|
Washington |
$68,750 |
$3,000 |
$71,750 |
|
Dallas |
$62,625 |
$5,563 |
$68,188 |
|
New York |
$61,750 |
$3,625 |
$65,375 |
|
Miami |
$57,500 |
$1,775 |
$59,275 |
For those who do not live
in one of the above major markets, we have also broken out the information by
region.
|
|
Salary |
Bonus |
Total |
|
West Coast |
$68,176 |
$6,618 |
$74,794 |
|
Midwest |
$61,341 |
$2,800 |
$64,141 |
|
Northeast |
$72,404 |
$6,076 |
$78,480 |
|
Southeast |
$59,900 |
$2,010 |
$61,910 |
|
Central |
$61,118 |
$3,529 |
$64,647 |
Consulting continues to
lead the way when it comes to measuring Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity
salaries by industry. Just as expected, consulting continues to be the
"hot job" in the industry. This data is not expected to change at
anytime soon as vendors continue to bring on Business Continuity Consultants to
meet the needs of clients. If you are considering a move to consulting, make
sure you have a nice set of luggage. Consultants are now seeing ranges in
travel of 50 – 80%.
A trend to keep an eye out
for in 2000 is also the emergence of opportunities with "dot com" or
eCommerce sites, as well as network management. These jobs require a whole new
skill set when it comes to contingency planning. Below are the figures for
salaries by industry.
|
|
Salary |
Bonus |
Total |
|
Banking |
$68,905 |
$4,643 |
$73,548 |
|
Comm. |
$64,667 |
$6,556 |
$71,222 |
|
Consulting |
$75,167 |
$11,333 |
$86,500 |
|
Government |
$54,250 |
$0 |
$54,250 |
|
Healthcare |
$57,000 |
$2,000 |
$59,000 |
|
Insurance |
$55,845 |
$1,892 |
$57,737 |
|
Investments |
$71,071 |
$6,714 |
$77,786 |
|
Manuf. |
$73,167 |
$5,333 |
$78,500 |
|
Other |
$62,329 |
$2,632 |
$64,961 |
Additional data has proven
to be quite useful in identifying the age of those in this industry. Last years
survey results identified that the average time in workforce of respondents was
21 years and nine years in disaster recovery/business continuity. This year,
results show that the average time in the workforce of 15.6 years; 6.7 in
contingency planning. As reported last year and further supported this year,
professionals in this industry are getting younger. Premature graying is
probably due to last years y2k activities. As expected, income has increased at
a steady rate Below is the breakdown of how results fell within the surveyed
ranges.
|
In Workforce |
% of Responses |
Income |
|
1 Year |
2% |
$45,000 |
|
2 - 5 Years |
7% |
$48,143 |
|
6 - 10 Years |
15% |
$68,787 |
|
11 - 15 Years |
19% |
$72,526 |
|
>16 Years |
57% |
$75,581 |
|
In DR/BC |
% of Responses |
Income |
|
1 Year |
8% |
$53,122 |
|
2 - 5 Years |
43% |
$60,808 |
|
6 - 10 Years |
24% |
$80,980 |
|
11 - 15 Years |
16% |
$82,806 |
|
>16 Years |
8% |
$88,667 |
In conclusion, we at
PrimeSearch, LTD are committed to doing everything possible to improve the data
that is reported in this survey. We want to arm the corporation with the data
they need to appropriately grade new positions to bring in the best candidates
for the position. For the professional in the industry, we want to provide you
the information you need to ensure that you are appropriately rewarded for your
efforts on the job.
We will continue to partner
with the Disaster Recovery Institute International and the Disaster Recovery
Journal in the evaluation of data surveyed. We appreciate their continued
support and the promotion of this information to the industry.
Finally, we would like to offer a special thanks to those who completed the survey. Your time and effort has aided in promoting continued growth within the Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity industry.