2007 Salary Survey
Satisfaction
Nearly a third of all
respondents are dissatisfied
or very dissatisfied with their
overall compensation.
Satisfaction With Overall Compensation
Possibly, these results also should have run in our Compensation section:
If they did, we may have seen a strange contradiction between some
of the figures here and some of the answers regarding our respondents'
perceptions about how their compensation compares to campus peers
and those outside of the academic environment. Here, though, male and
female respondents were remarkably similar in their responses to our
question about satisfaction with compensation overall. Their responses
were no more than one percentage point apart in any range, and they
were exactly the same in each of the "satisfied" and "dissatisfied"
ranges. What is probably most notable is their combined response to
overall compensation: Sorry to say it, but nearly a third (32 percent) of
all respondents are either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their overall
compensation.
Base salaries have exceeded
the expectations of only 13
percent of respondents.
Satisfaction With Base Salary
While a full 50 percent of respondents reported that they are satis-
fied with their base salaries, it's notable that most of the remaining
half of respondents—37 percent of all respondents—indicated that
they are dissatisfied or even very dissatisfied with the salaries they
are receiving (this is apart from any annual, spot, or performance
bonuses they may be receiving). Base salaries have exceeded the
expectations of only 13 percent of respondents.
Only 44 percent of all
respondents said they
are satisfied with
compensation beyond
their salary.
Satisfaction With Compensation
Beyond Salary
Respondents' satisfaction with compensation beyond salary is,
overall, even lower than reported for base salary. Only 44 percent
of all respondents said they are satisfied with compensation
beyond salary, such as bonus packages, 401(k) plans, and other
forms of financial compensation. Almost as many (41 percent) said
they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. A mere 15 percent said
such compensation exceeds their expectations.
Those from the Mid-Atlantic area are most satisfied with
their pay: 74 percent reported in the top satisfaction tiers.
Overall Compensation by Region
Results expressed by region return to a more symmetrical graph.
Respondents from the South are the most dissatisfied—more than
one-third (37 percent) reported dissatisfaction with their overall
compensation. Respondents from the Mid-Atlantic region are the
most satisfied—nearly three-fourths (74 percent) reported that they
are satisfied, more than satisfied, or highly satisfied.
Over 65? You’re happiest with your compensation.
Overall Compensation by Age Group
Graphing satisfaction with overall compensation by age shows a broad range of responses with no particular bulge pattern. But the most
interesting data point probably occurs in the 65 or over age group, where nearly three-fourths (74 percent) reported they are satisfied, more
than satisfied, or highly satisfied. The least satisfied age group is 50-54, of which 40 percent reported they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.
They are closely followed by the very youngest group tracked—those under 29—in which 38 percent said they are dissatisfied or
very dissatisfied. Bottom line: If you're retirement age or older, you're happy to be bringing home a paycheck.
Most satisfied with overall compensation: Surprisingly
enough, the 'for-profit/other' institutions.
Overall Compensation by Institution Type
Responses by institution type are fairly symmetrical, with no more
than a 12 percentage point difference within any range in the chart.
The most dissatisfied are respondents from the 4-year public colleges
and universities, with 35 percent—more than one-third of
respondents—reporting in the "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied"
ranges. The most satisfied are respondents from the for-profit/other
institutions, with 72 percent reporting in the "satisfied," "more than
satisfied," or "highly satisfied" ranges.
A full 75 percent of suburbanites said they are well-paid.
Overall Compensation by Population Density
Satisfaction with overall compensation displays a somewhat more
varied pattern of responses when reviewed by population density.
The most dissatisfied are those working in non-metro locations of
2,500-19,999 population. Forty-five percent of that group reported
in the "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied" range. Suburban institutions
(in areas with 20,000-49,999 population) fare very well, with
75 percent of respondents reporting in the "satisfied," "more than
satisfied," or "highly satisfied" ranges.
Eighty-nine percent of
respondents indicated they
are satisfied, more than
satisfied, or highly satisfied
with their job security.
Job Security
Most—89 percent—of our respondents indicated that they are satisfied,
more than satisfied, or highly satisfied with their job security.
Eleven percent of our survey sample expressed dissatisfaction. Are
the large majority feeling warm and fuzzy within ivy-covered walls, or
are they holding buttoned-down contracts? No stats on that here.
But the 89 percent pleased with job security speaks well for the higher
ed IT-related job market.
Close to one-third of all
respondents admitted that
they are dissatisfied or
very dissatisfied with
their institutional culture.
Institutional Culture
Close to one-third (31 percent) of all respondents indicated that
they are either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with institutional
culture. Because all survey questions were asked within the framework
of the respondents' own jobs within higher education, it is a
fair assumption that this dissatisfaction can be seen as more related
to barriers to getting their IT-related work done than as an
indictment of higher education in general. Only 9 percent of
respondents indicated they are highly satisfied with institutional
culture. Clearly, schools need to do work here.
Male and female respondents
reported identical satisfaction
when it comes to meeting their
expectations of flexibility in
work schedules.
Flexibility in Work Schedule
Respondents are overwhelmingly satisfied with flexibility in their work
schedules, with only 10 percent indicating that their expectations have not
been met. It's notable that male and female responses are equal (at 43 percent)
regarding flexibility equal to their expectations. Male responses inch
up only six percentage points over females, vis-à-vis flexibility exceeding
expectations. Still, the survey did not specifically study accommodations
for family leave or flexibility issues for parents with young children, so inferences
in those areas would likely be unreliable, and would be influenced by
the relative maturity of respondents overall.
Less than 10 percent of our
respondents indicated they
are highly satisfied with the
professional development and
training aspects of their careers.
Professional Development and Training
In general, three quarters of respondents are satisfied or more than satisfied
with the professional development and training aspects of their careers. Still,
less than 10 percent indicated they are highly satisfied in this category.
The only institution type showing less than 74 percent of
responses in the upper three ranges was the 'Vocational/
Technical College' category.
Professional Development and Training,
by Institution Type
Responses by type of institution displayed a similar pattern overall, with the
largest proportion of respondents consistently reporting in the mid ("satisfied,
about equal to my expectations") range. At first glance, four-year public colleges
and universities may appear to have a slight edge, showing the largest
percentage—46 percent—in that middle bar. But they share the same percentage—
74 percent—of responses in the combined "satisfied," "more than satisfied," and "highly satisfied" ranges with both the four-year
private colleges and universities and the for-profit/other institutions. Four-year publics also run neck-and-neck with the two-year private/public
colleges, which show 76 percent in those upper three ranges. The only institution type showing less than 74 percent of responses in the
upper three ranges: Vocational/technical colleges, logging 69 percent satisfied or above for professional development and training.
Well over one-third of all
respondents indicated that
they are either dissatisfied
or very dissatisfied with their
organization's overall
management.
Satisfaction With Overall Management
More than one-third—38 percent—of all respondents indicated that they
are either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their organization's overall
management. A modest 4 percent said they are highly satisfied. But combine
those highly satisfied respondents with the next two levels of satisfaction
and the majority still rules, where 63 percent indicated they are
satisfied, more than satisfied, or highly satisfied.
When it comes to prospects
for their careers, the vast
majority (81 percent of all
respondents) reported that
they are satisfied the future
looks good.
Career Prospects
Respondents were asked to reflect on prospects for their future careers.
Whereas 20 percent said they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied regarding
their future prospects, the vast majority—rounded to 81 percent of all
respondents—placed themselves in the "satisfied," "more than satisfied," or
"highly satisfied" categories. Let's not forget the old adage, "You make your
own luck."
