Architecture Firm Bonuses Hit Hard in 2010

September 22, 2010 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Bonus payouts declined significantly for almost all management positions at architecture, engineering (A/E), and environmental consulting firms even though manager salaries remained steady this year.

That was the conclusion of a new poll by ZweigWhite, a Natick, Massachusetts-based consulting firm.

A news release said the median bonus for marketing directors and HR directors declined to zero, while principals, financial directors, and IT directors experienced big cuts in bonus payouts this year. Only project managers received a larger median bonus in 2010.

“Graphing the moods, fortunes, and compensation of the manager class has been a vertigo inducing roller coaster,” said Christine Brack, Principal, ZweigWhite Strategic Advisory Services, in the news release. “Today’s increased competition and tighter operating budgets are challenging many in leadership positions in A/E firms to balance business, staff, and personal needs.”

The 2010-11 Management Compensation Survey reports on and analyzes base salary, bonus, overtime pay, and total compensation information on project managers, financial directors, information technology directors, human resources directors, marketing directors, and principals.

More information about the survey is available here.

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