The average planned merit increase reported in BLR's 2009 Pay Budget Survey is 3.71%, slightly higher than the actual average merit increase of 3.67% reported for 2008. Participating employers were also asked whether
they would award general salary increases in 2009, and the average planned by those who responded is 3.47%, compared with 3.40% given in 2008. More than 1,600 organizations participated in the survey, which was conducted in June and July of 2008.
The results of BLR’s 2008 Pay Budget Survey indicate that employers are hesitant to make any significant pay budget increases in the coming year, with projected average merit and general increases remaining below 4%. Survey results showed that the average planned merit increase is 3.48%, and the average general pay budget increase is 3.38%.
The results of BLR's 2007 Pay Budget Survey indicate that employers are still unwilling to cross the 4% margin for budgeted merit or general increases in the coming year. Survey results showed that the planned increases for both merit and general raises are holding steady for exempt, nonexempt, and nonunion plant employees.
After 2 years of stagnant pay-increase budgets below 4%, the results of BLR's 2006 Pay Budget Survey indicate that employers are feeling somewhat more optimistic in their pay budgeting for the coming year.
The growth in wages for exempt employees held steady throughout 2008, according to BLR's 2008 Survey of Exempt Compensation. Employers surveyed nationwide reported
increases in exempt salaries for 32 of the 44 benchmarked exempt positions surveyed.
The slow growth in wages for exempt employees continues in 2007, according to BLR's 2007 Survey of Exempt Compensation. Employers surveyed reported increases in exempt salaries for all of the 44 benchmark exempt positions surveyed. Salary increases for benchmarked jobs ranged from a high of 4.66% to a low of 1.37%, with an average increase of 3%.
The results of the 2006 Survey of Exempt Compensation are in––and the positive effects of an improving economy continue for exempt employees in 2006. Employers surveyed nationwide reported increases in exempt salaries for 43 of the 44 benchmark exempt positions surveyed.
The reports of a slowly improving economy continue. According to BLR's 2005 Survey of Exempt Compensation, over 80% of all the exempt job titles surveyed reported at least a marginal pay increase for 2005. Increases ranged from .43% to an impressive 13.89%.
Signs of economic recovery are all around us. According to BLR's 2004 Survey of Exempt Compensation, nationally, most exempt workers experienced an increase in their salaries this year. This stands with many other positive signs that the country is finally climbing out of the recession. More than 4,300 organizations responded to this year's survey, which was conducted in January and February of 2004.
Nonexempt employees experienced a
varied amount of growth in their hourly
wages over the last year, according to
Business & Legal Reports' 2008 Survey of Nonexempt Compensation. Forty-four
of the forty-five nonexempt benchmarked
jobs included in this year's survey
exhibited an increase in median
wages over 2007.
Nonexempt employees realized very little growth in their hourly wages over the last year, according to Business & Legal Reports' 2007 Survey of Nonexempt Compensation.
Nonexempt employees are less likely to see the benefits of the improving
economy this year, according to Business & Legal Reports’ 2006 Survey of Nonexempt Compensation. Growth in nonexempt wages will continue in 2006, but at a slower rate than exempt salaries.
A slowdown in exempt wage growth in 2005 may be one of the first indicators that the national economy is not recovering as rapidly as expected. According to Business & Legal Reports' 2005 Survey of Nonexempt Compensation, 28% of the positions surveyed reported at least a marginal decrease in hourly wages for 2005.
BLR's 2004 Survey of Nonexempt Compensation shows that national wage increases were reported for 38 of the 45 jobs surveyed, while only seven positions suffered wage drops. Fourteen of the jobs surveyed indicated wage increases of over 5%, while only one job reported a wage decrease of over 5%. More than 4,300 organizations responded to this year's survey, which was conducted in January and February of 2004.
