Nut Plant Maintenance Resource Center
2003 Maintenance Salary Survey Results
Join Now
FREE registration allows you to support this site and receive our regular M-News newsletter.

bkused120x60.gif - 3168 Bytes

2003 Maintenance Salary Survey Results

© Plant Maintenance Resource Center

Overview

The fifth annual survey of salaries in the Maintenance sector was conducted on the Plant Maintenance Resource Center website between January and March 2003. This salary survey is a regular, annual event. The 1999 Salary survey results are available here, and the 2000 Salary Survey results are available here. The 2001 Salary Survey results are available here, and the 2002 Salary Survey results are available here. The 2004 Maintenance Salary survey will open in mid-January 2004, so make a note to check back at the site then (if not before!).

Raw Data - Overview

Voluntary (and confidential) responses were sought to the survey, and 158 valid responses were received. This was approximately 12% fewer than the 180 responses received in 2002, 36% fewer than the 248 responses received in 2001, and more than 50% fewer than the 320 responses received in 2000. We are unclear about the reasons for this continuing drop in response rate, given that this site is receiving approximately double the number of visitors in 2003 that it did in 2000.

Raw Data - Industries

The greatest number of responses, once again, were from individuals in the Manufacturing industries. There was an increase in the number of respondents from the Petroleum industry, and a reduction in the number of respondents from the Food industry in this years survey, compared with last year. A complete list of industries represented in the last 4 surveys is tabulated below.

  2003 2002 2001 2000
Industry Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total
Manufacturing: Metal products 1912.0% 2212.2% 2911.7% 3611.3%
Manufacturing: Wood and paper products 159.5% 84.4% 145.6% 144.4%
Manufacturing: Machinery and equipment 148.9% 63.3% 145.6% 185.6%
Manufacturing: Petroleum refining, chemicals and associated products 148.9% 2614.4% 187.3% 3510.9%
Manufacturing: Food, beverages, tobacco 148.9% 147.8% 3112.5% 288.7%
Utilities: Electricity Generation 85.1% 63.3% 135.2% 103.1%
Services: Property services/Building Maintenance 85.1% 95.0% 145.6% 144.4%
Services: Contract Maintenance/Repairs 74.4% 52.8% 124.8% 175.3%
Services: Business Services/Consulting 53.2% 95.0% 72.8% 30.9%
Manufacturing: Non-metallic mineral processing 42.5% 31.7% 41.6% 72.2%
Manufacturing: Other 42.5% 2815.6% 3012.1% 3811.9%
Mining: Metal ore 42.5% 10.6% 52.0% 72.2%
Other 42.5% 31.7% 31.2% 51.6%
Services: Healthcare 52.8% 52.0% 92.8% 42.5%
Oil and Gas: Oil and gas extraction 31.9% 63.3% 83.2% 103.1%
Services: Other 21.3% 52.8% 52.0% 10.3%
Trade: Retail 00.0% 42.2% 10.4% 10.3%
Trade: Wholesale 10.6% 31.7% 00.0% 20.6%
Services: Transport 10.6% 31.7% 31.2% 30.9%
Services: Education/Academia 42.5% 31.7% 41.6% 154.7%
Manufacturing: Textiles, clothing, footwear, leather 21.3% 21.1% 41.6% 41.3%
Mining: Other 31.9% 21.1% 10.4% 51.6%
Utilities: Electricity Transmission and Distribution 21.3% 10.6% 41.6% 10.3%
Services: Telecommunications 00.0% 10.6% 31.2% 10.3%
Mining: Coal 31.9% 10.6% 20.8% 20.6%
Services: Research & Development 42.5% 10.6% 20.8% 10.3%
Manufacturing: Printing, publishing, and recorded media 31.9% 10.6% 10.4% 92.8%
Services: Defence 42.5% 10.6% 10.4% 72.2%
Services: Software Development/Sales 00.0% 10.6% 10.4% 51.6%
Construction: General 00.0% 00.0% 31.2% 10.3%
Utilities: Water, sewerage, drainage 21.3% 00.0% 20.8% 51.6%
Utilities: Gas supply 00.0% 00.0% 20.8% 30.9%
Agriculture: Other 00.0% 00.0% 10.4% 20.6%
Mining: Services to Mining 00.0% 00.0% 10.4% 10.3%

Raw Data - Countries

Over half of the responses received were from the USA, followed by Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada as the countries with the next greatest number of responses. In comparison with previous years, there is a much higher proportion of responses from the British, and a continued trend of declining participation from Americans.

  2002 2001 2000 1999
Country Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total
United States 9251.1% 14257.3% 22577.6% 20671.0%
Australia 2011.1% 2610.5% 186.2% 186.2%
United Kingdom 147.8% 62.4% 124.1% 62.1%
Canada 116.1% 187.3% 144.8% 217.2%
South Africa 52.8% 31.2% 31.0% 62.1%
France 31.7% 31.2%



Netherlands 21.1% 52.0% 20.7% 10.3%
Malaysia 21.1% 41.6% 20.7% 20.7%
India 21.1% 31.2% 10.3% 20.7%
Israel 21.1% 31.2%



Kuwait 21.1%





Saudi Arabia 21.1%





Indonesia 10.6% 20.8% 62.1% 20.7%
Brazil 10.6% 20.8% 62.1% 20.7%
Turkey 10.6% 20.8%



Colombia 10.6% 20.8%



United Arab Emirates 10.6% 20.8%



Spain 10.6% 10.4% 20.7% 10.3%
Chile 10.6% 10.4% 10.3%

Korea 10.6% 10.4%

10.3%
Singapore 10.6%

20.7% 10.3%
Tunisia 10.6%





Denmark 10.6%





Hungary 10.6%





Russia 10.6%





Iran 10.6%





Virgin Islands 10.6%





New Zealand

31.2%

10.3%
Mexico

20.8%



Venezuela

20.8%



Puerto Rico

20.8%



Pakistan

20.8%



Ireland

10.4% 20.7% 20.7%
Germany

10.4% 10.3%

Sweden

10.4%



Norway



20.7% 10.3%
Philippines



10.3% 10.3%
Thailand



10.3%

Belgium





20.7%
Finland





10.3%
Other 84.4% 83.2% 196.6% 113.8%

Raw Data - Job Positions

As in previous years, the positions with the greatest representation in the survey were Maintenance Managers/Superintendents, followed by Plant/Maintenance Engineers, Maintenance Foremen/Supervisors, Maintenance Technicians, Maintenance Planners and Maintenance Trades/Craftspeople.

  2002 2001 2000 1999
Position Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total
Maintenance Manager/Superintendent 4223.3% 6827.4% 8529.3% 7726.6%
Plant/Maintenance Engineer 2614.4% 4317.3% 5418.6% 3612.4%
Maintenance Foreman/Supervisor 2111.7% 3614.5% 4816.6% 3913.4%
Maintenance Technician 2111.7% 2911.7% 4415.2% 3411.7%
Maintenance Planner 168.9% 145.6% 124.1% 227.6%
Maintenance Crafts/Tradesperson 126.7% 124.8% 217.2% 217.2%
Consulting Engineer 84.4% 72.8% 51.7% 93.1%
Other 84.4% 52.0% 217.3% 206.9%
Maintenance Contract Manager 63.3% 31.2% 41.4% 10.3%
Management Consultant 31.7% 20.8% 20.7%

Design Engineer 31.7%

20.7% 10.3%
Computer/IT Consultant 21.1% 20.8% 10.3% 41.4%
Consulting Manager 21.1% 10.4% 10.3% 41.4%
Maintenance Accountant 21.1% 10.4%



CEO/Managing Director 21.1% 10.4% 62.1% 41.4%
Reliability Engineer 21.1%





Process/Industrial Engineer 10.6% 52.0% 20.7% 20.7%
Operations/Plant Manager 10.6% 31.2%



Maintenance Clerk 10.6% 20.8%

20.7%
Product Support Professional 10.6% 10.4%

31.0%
Software Support Manager

41.6% 10.3%

Product Support Manager

10.4% 20.7% 10.3%
Research Technician

10.4%



Software Support Professional



31.0%

Teacher/Academic



20.7% 10.3%
Marketing/Business Development/Sales Manager



10.3% 31.0%
Product Support Technician



10.3% 10.3%
Research Professional



10.3% 10.3%
Marketing Officer/Business Development Officer/Salesperson



10.3%

Contractor





20.7%
Maintenance Contract Officer





10.3%
Student





10.3%

Raw Data - Educational Levels

The distribution of educational levels was similar to last year, although there appears to be a trend of an increasing number of respondents with Certificate/Diploma/Associate Degree qualifications, at the expense of lesser educational standards.

  2002 2001 2000 1999
Education Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total
High School 2111.7% 3714.9% 5818.1% 5017.2%
Formal Trade Training 2715.0% 3915.7% 5416.9% 7024.1%
Certificate/Diploma/Associate Degree 6033.3% 6727.0% 8325.9% 4716.2%
Undergraduate/College (Bachelors) degree 5228.9% 7630.6% 10131.6% 9833.8%
Post Graduate (Masters) degree 2011.1% 2811.3% 216.6% 206.9%
Post Graduate (Doctorate) degree

10.4% 30.9% 31.0%

Raw Data - Work Experience

A wide range of work experience was represented, with the distribution of experience being very similar to previous years.

  2002 2001 2000 1999
Experience Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total
0 to 5 2715.0% 3815.3% 3210.0% 217.2%
5 to 10 2715.0% 4116.5% 5416.9% 5920.3%
10 to 15 3720.6% 5020.2% 6520.3% 5117.6%
15 to 20 3217.8% 3313.3% 6821.2% 5820.0%
20 to 25 3318.3% 5622.6% 5115.9% 5519.0%
25 to 30 2011.1% 208.1% 3611.3% 3411.7%
more than 30 42.2% 104.0% 144.4% 113.8%

Raw Data - Salaries

The total annual earnings, inclusive of all benefits, displayed a similar distribution to last year, with overall salaries slightly lower than previous years.

  2002 2001 2000 1999
Salary Band (US$) Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total Responses % of Total
0-20,000 105.6% 228.9% 195.9% 124.1%
20,001-25,000 31.7% 83.2% 30.9% 82.8%
25,001-30,000 126.7% 135.2% 175.3% 72.4%
30,001-35,000 126.7% 176.9% 309.4% 258.6%
35,001-40,000 126.7% 249.7% 237.2% 248.3%
40,001-45,000 1810.0% 2610.5% 4714.7% 3110.7%
45,001-50,000 2212.2% 208.1% 299.1% 3110.7%
50,001-55,000 158.3% 228.9% 257.8% 3311.4%
55,001-60,000 116.1% 197.7% 237.2% 2910.0%
60,001-65,000 116.1% 239.3% 206.3% 269.0%
65,001-70,000 126.7% 124.8% 268.1% 175.9%
70,001-75,000 105.6% 187.3% 175.3% 144.8%
75,001-80,000 116.1% 93.6% 123.7% 41.4%
80,001-85,000 63.3% 20.8% 41.3% 62.1%
85,001-90,000 21.1% 10.4% 41.3% 62.1%
90,001-95,000 21.1% 20.8% 30.9% 10.3%
95,001-100,000 10.6% 00.0% 61.9% 10.3%
100,001-110,000 41.6% 61.9% 72.4%
110,001-120,000 21.1% 00.0% 10.3% 31.0%
120,001-130,000 00.0% 20.8% 10.3% 00.0%
130,001-140,000 10.6% 00.0% 10.3% 20.7%
140,001-150,000 00.0% 00.0% 10.3% 20.7%
150,001-175,000 00.0% 00.0% 10.3% 10.3%
175,001-200,000 10.6% 00.0% 00.0% 00.0%
more than 200,000 10.6% 41.6% 10.3% 00.0%

saldist2002.gif - 9095 Bytes

Overall Results

The median salary band was US$50,001-$55,000, up from the US$45,001-$50,000 in 2000 and 2001, but returning to the level of the 1999 survey. Assuming the average salary for each band is the midpoint of each band, the mean salary in 2002 is US$54,917. This is approximately US$3,600, or 7.1% higher than the 2001 mean of US$51,290, and approximately $2,400 or 4.6% higher than the mean 2000 salary of US$52,523. It is also around $1,400 or 2.5% lower than the mean salary of US$53,521 in 1999. However, the changing mix of respondents could explain some of this variation, rather than any underlying trend in salary movements.

Salary by Industry

An analysis of salaries by industry (for those industries with 5 or more responses) indicated that for the third year in a row, the industry paying the highest salaries was Manufacturing:Machinery and Equipment. Salaries being paid in Oil & Gas extraction returned to "normal" levels after the apparent aberration last year. Wood and Paper products and Consulting also appear to be financially rewarding industries for Maintenance professionals.

Note that, for the purpose of this analysis, only industries containing 5 or more respondents were included. The overall result is shown graphically below.

salxindustry2002.gif - 16206 Bytes

Salaries by Country

Once again, only countries with 5 or more respondents were included in this analysis, which showed that the highest salaries were to be obtained in the USA, followed by the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. There was a remarkable apparent increase in UK salaries in comparison with previous years, but this may be due more to the greater number of UK respondents this year, and the different mix of respondents as a result. Canadian salaries apparently dropped last year, but it may be that the 2001 result was abnormally high. Australian salaries continue to fall in US$ terms as a result of the continuing decline of the value of the $A against the greenback.

As usual, it should be noted that tax rates will differ between countries, as will the cost of living, so direct comparisons of salaries between countries should be treated cautiously. As already noted, changes in exchange rates mean that comparisons, year on year, for non-US countries should also be treated cautiously.

salxcountry2002.gif - 8462 Bytes

Salaries by State

Average salaries are given for those states with more than 5 responses in the following chart. However, given the low number of results for each state, meaningful comparison between states is almost impossible.

salxstate2002.gif - 7235 Bytes

Salaries by Position

Yet again, only positions with more than 5 respondents were included in this analysis. After last year's abnormally high result for Consulting Engineers (as a result of the small number of respondents) Consulting Engineer salaries have fallen again to more "normal" levels. Not unsurprisingly, Maintenance Managers/Superintendents were the highest paid positions, followed, once again by Maintenance Supervisors/Foremen who were paid more than Plant/Maintenance Engineers, as they were last year Maintenance Planners continue to be paid less than Maintenance Foremen/Supervisors, and apparently, based on this year's result, are paid less than Maintenance technicians and Crafts/Tradespeople. Hardly an incentive to become a Maintenance Planner, and if this is true, an indictment on the value that industry gives to this role which is vital for ensuring ongoing plant and equipment reliability, and the effective and efficient use of Maintenance Labour.

salxposition2002.gif - 10640 Bytes

Salary by Education

Again, not unsurprisingly, it appears that increasing levels of formal educational qualifications generally lead to increasing salaries. This year, no responses were obtained for those with Doctorate level qualifications, and last year's result is probably distorted by there having only been one respondent with this qualification.

salxeducation2002.gif - 8993 Bytes

Salary by Experience

Once again, this survey highlights that experience is an important factor in generating additional salary.

salxexperience2002.gif - 11140 Bytes

Salary by Company Size

This year's results appear to show that Medium sized organizations pay somewhat lower salaries than both large and small organizations, but it seems likely that these results are distorted by the other factors in the mix of respondents for each organization size.

salxsize2002.gif - 6838 Bytes

Conclusion

In summary, the main conclusions from this survey are:

  • Overall, salaries seem to have risen fairly significantly.
  • Salary levels have risen significantly in US$ terms in the United Kingdom, however, this is could largely be a result of the increased number of respondents from this country, and the corresponding change in the mix of respondents from the UK.
  • Salary levels appear to have dropped significantly in US$ terms in Canada, however it may be that last year's result was abnormally high.
  • Experience and Education continue to have a significant impact on salaries in the Maintenance sector.
  • Plant/Maintenance Engineers are better paid than Maintenance Supervisors/Foremen.
  • Maintenance Planners continue to be paid significantly less than Maintenance Foremen/Supervisors.
  • Manufacturing:Machinery and Equipment continues to appear to be the best paid industry sector for Maintenance workers.

Throughout the year, the Plant Maintenance Resource Center runs a series of surveys on topics of interest to Maintenance professionals. To access the latest survey, visit here

If you wish to copy or distribute this article, please email me to ask for permission first!
(Permission will generally be granted, so long as appropriate credit is given to its origin).

Copyright 1996-2009, The Plant Maintenance Resource Center . All Rights Reserved.
Revised: Thursday, 08-Oct-2015 11:54:39 AEDT
Privacy Policy