Results of annual area wage survey released

Employers may wonder how what to pay employees compared to similar industries in the area. Employees, may want to know if they are getting a fair shake or, better yet, a really good deal from an employer.

The guessing is over Associated Industries of Missouri has published the "2000 Springfield Area Wage and Salary Survey Results" that was done in cooperation with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Springfield Area Human Resources Association.

"The survey is done every year. The state of Missouri does a wage analysis for the metropolitan area and the Associated Industries of Missouri does an analysis. The information gives employers and us a medium to which to refer. They can ask Are we, as an employer, in the general range? If not, what do we need to do in a tight labor market to enhance ourselves?' It can be a tool to allow corporate executives to determine where they stand individually and in the market as a whole," said Greg Williams, vice president of economic development, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. "We use it extensively for requests for information outside the area, such as for an employer in New York. That data can be priceless to a prospective business or industry considering coming to our area. They can understand what it's going to take to attract good people and what overall costs will be in wages, salaries and benefits."

The survey takes in more than 130 occupations in 12 key areas: accounting; claims processing/insurance; human resources/personnel; marketing, sales and customer service; management information systems; office and clerical; other managers/professionals; first-level supervisors; engineering and technical; skilled trade; production and inspection; and miscellaneous.

The survey is based upon answers from 78 companies and organizations, big and small. For instance, 3M City of Springfield, Council of Churches, Metropolitan National Bank, Murney Associates, Realtors; O'Reilly Auto Parts, Sweetheart Cup Company and Z-Tech Companies were among those participating. Company size ranged from those with less than 25 employees (seven) to those with more than 1,000 (eight), with the most having 25-100 employees (25).

"We work with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Springfield Area Human Resources Association to develop the survey as to what job positions are listed within the survey. We mail out a form to our membership and to lists provided by the two organizations to ask businesses to participate. Those who would like to do so respond and we send them out the actual survey," said Diane Rothermich, coordinator of public relations at Associated Industries of Missouri.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in an August 2000 news release, the unemployment rate (4.1 percent) is holding close to the range it has held since October 1999. The survey shows the overall labor turnover rate is 34 percent.

"With unemployment rates at an all-time low in many areas of the state employers must provide the types of quality benefits necessary to keep workers who contribute positively to the company's bottom line," said Chris Long, president of AIM, in a news release.

The competition for qualified workers also makes knowing how benefits companies offer employees compare. The survey took medical insurance issues into account by asking a number of questions about coverage. First, does the business provide a medical insurance plan covering employees? The answer: Full-time workers at 71 of the businesses have medical insurance; 22 cover part-time. Other questions dealt with eligibility requirements, percentage paid by the employer, maximum benefits, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket expense.

"A record number of companies over 95 percent offer health insurance for their workers while 92 percent offer health benefits for dependents of employees. Both of these numbers show an increase over similar figures compiled in 1999. An increasing number of area businesses are offering Preferred Provider Plans as opposed to traditional HMOs in an effort to provide employees a wider range of provider options," said an AIM news release about the survey. Another conclusion in the same news release was that health insurance premium increases have been nearly 30 percent. That rise was attributed to the need to meet state and federal mandates.

Other benefits examined were dental insurance, holidays, paid sick days, 401(k) investment plans, vacation, and retirement plans.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average weekly salary (as of August) is $473.34 ($24,614 annually) for private production and non-supervisory workers.

Examples of wages and salaries in the southwest Missouri region as given in the survey include: A chief financial officer's average annual salary is $70,660 (from $30,000 to $99,762). An accounts receivable clerk's average annual salary is $21,346 (with an average low of $17,983, to an average high of $25,196). A human resources assistant's is $22,786 ($18,358 to $28,719). Marketing directors' average pay is $61,524 ($35,877 to $92,486). A clerk typist gets an average of $17,318 ($14,486 to $21,418). An automotive mechanic averages $30,155 ($24,841 to $37,900). An assembler, Class A gets an average of $23,270 ($19,751 to $27,362). A watchman's average annual salary is $17,640 ($13,537 to $22,619).

"It offers the opportunity to local businesses, the chamber of commerce, the city government, and to everyone locally, to examine where we stand as a community relative to wages and benefits offered by our business community," Williams said.

For more information about the wage and salary survey, visit the AIM Web site at www.aimo.com/resource.htm.