Understanding the STC salary database STC NEO mini-webinar, 15 May 2018

James Bousquet Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Trainer at ATS Automation STC Treasurer since May 2017 Skiing, running 12 years in STC, 8 years in local chapter council roles, 3 years as IDL SIG treasurer, starting 3rd year as STC treasurer

James Bousquet Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Trainer at ATS Automation STC Treasurer since May 2017 Skiing, running 12 years in STC, 8 years in local chapter council roles, 3 years as IDL SIG treasurer, starting 3rd year as STC treasurer

Agenda What is the salary database? Who should use it? Why? How should I use it?

What is the salary database? 185-page report Employment and compensation levels for technical communication Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics wage survey Compiled for STC by Industry Insights Third-party research and consulting firm Fall 2018 release BLS collects and releases the following year Based on 2017 data Sponsored by Adobe and Writing Assistance

What is the salary database? Geography section State, combined statistical area, metropolitan statistical area, non-metropolitan statistical area Industry section (NAICS codes) 2-digit = broad 4- and 5-digit = granular Professional section Compares tech writers versus similar professions Reporters, correspondents, PR specialists, editors, writers and authors, interpreters and translators

Who should use it? Why? Job-seekers; new to profession Employees Insights about industries, cities where the jobs are Employees Being paid fairly? Solid facts to back up a raise request Managers Market rate? Salary figures for setting budgets, bidding for projects Freelancers Investigate hourly rates for different industries, cities

How should I use it? “Guidelines”, not hard “standards” Other factors affect total compensation package Location (cost of living) Benefits, 401(k) Working environment, travel, overtime Bonuses, profit-sharing Vacation Professional development People vary Education, experience Where do you fall in relation to others?

How should I use it? Calculate your wages Consider your situation Straight time: gross pay, exclusive of premium pay Consider your situation 1-2 years’ experience: 10th, 25th percentiles Mid-career: Average, median 20+ years, advanced degrees, managerial: 75th, 90th percentiles Focus on the applicable numbers Think about what you’re looking for New job? New industry? Moving? Wondering if you’re fairly compensated?

How should I use it? Read the Executive Summary for orientation, getting started Economic Overview, Report Highlights (13 pages) Key employment and wage trends Look at data on your industry and geographic area Changing industry, city? Repeat with new parameters Calculate wage ratio, compare to cost-of-living ratio Difference between industry and geography? Average Weight them differently, if appropriate Cost of living, industry variances Step 4: Executive summary - trends: Job gains: industries, locations where you’d want to look for jobs Decreases could be from downsizing, layoffs (surplus of TWs?) or from baby-boomers retiring (opportunity, not necessarily bad). Small wage dips (esp. 2016) could be from experienced baby-boomers retiring and being replaced by lower-paid, less experienced people.

Sample case 1 Two years of experience Works in ABC industry Lives in DEF MSA 10th percentile—ABC industry: $46,040, DEF location: $59,200 Approx. wage: ($46,040 + $59,200) / 2 = $52,620 Not much experience, no advanced degrees/certifications—focus on 10th percentile. Both industry-specific and location-specific information, and average them to get approximate wage.

Sample case 2 15-20 years of experience, plus advanced degree, certification Works in GHI industry Lives in JKL MSA Industry: ($90,910 + $103,000) / 2 = $96,955 Location: ($97,400 + $115,550) / 2 = $106,475 Approx. wage: ($96,955 + $106,475) / 2 = $101,715 Likely mid-career, plus has an advanced degree and certification. Focus on compensation data between 75th and 90th percentiles. As in case 1, factor in both industry and location information. Need to average the wage values between the two percentiles.

Sample case 3 Same as previous case, but in a high-cost-of-living location Weight location wages more heavily than industry wages Industry: $96,955 x 0.25 = $24,239 Location: $106,475 x 0.75 = $79,856 Approx. wage = $24,239 + $79,856 = $104,095

Where do I find it? Free to STC members: Non-members: access.stc.org > Member Center > My STC Profile Non-members: stc.org > Member Center > Salary Database PDF $125 Excel workbook $60

Summary Lots of data, good information Narrow in on what applies to you (state, MSA, industry) Follow the steps Be objective Compare yourself to colleagues, peers Guidelines, not standards No information on full compensation packages, qualifications

Questions? Jim Bousquet STC Treasurer jbousquet.stc@gmail.com 519-503-1602