Survey Predicts Purchasing Managers' 2006 Salary Boost

June 14, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Purchasing managers stand to get the biggest salary boost among salaried mid-level workers in 2006 with a 9.5% raise, according to a recent survey.

Business & Legal Reports’ 2006 Survey of Exempt Compensation also found that behind purchasing managers, advertising managers will earn an average raise of 8.22% and administrative services managers will earn 6.99% more.

The survey measures the salaries of employees that are not eligible for overtime and found that these workers, on average, will receive a 4% increase this year, just below the 4.1% cost of living index for 2005, according to a news release.

BLR Editor, Catherine Moreton, speculated in the news release that “globalization pressures are forcing companies to focus on improving their cost structures, making purchasing managers the unlikely new corporate rock stars. Likewise, marketing and promotion managers will be amply rewarded to increase sales and market share.”

The only position that will show a salary downturn is wholesale and retail buyers, with a .19% dip to $43,192.

The survey also found that a shortage of health care workers will prompt higher pay for mid-level managers in that sector. According to the news release, pharmacists are expected to gain salary increases of 5.44%, to $89,230 and registered nurses of 4.96%, to $54,914.

Engineers and non-management computer positions will see relatively anemic pay raises, the survey found.

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