2016 salary survey results
by all | 4 November 2016 10:15 am
Every year, we ask readers of Sign Media Canada to weigh in on their careers and the current state of the sign industry. The following are the collected results of this year’s milestone 10th annual survey, submitted anonymously, and the trends that appeared through them.
Basic Demographics
Compared to last year, the average age of participants in the survey remained similar overall, though it leaned less heavily in the range of 50 to 54 (15 per cent this year, 22 per cent last). The trend of fewer women taking part continued (19 per cent versus 23 per cent). In regional terms, after previously skewing west, this year’s survey saw nearly half of its participants based in Ontario.
Are You Experienced?
This year’s participants’ level of professional experience was similar to last year’s in terms of time spent working in the sign industry, but more have spent five-plus years with their current company, suggesting a lesser degree of turnover in recent months.
Size Matters
Canada’s sign industry is very much a community of small businesses, with 62 per cent of respondents (down only slightly from 68 per cent last year) representing companies of one to 10 employees. Size of staff does not directly relate to productivity, however, given 12 per cent of this year’s participants reported annual revenues of $10 million or higher, compared to only three per cent last year.
Shifting Roles
Notably, more sign shop owners took part in this year’s survey (43 per cent, compared to 37 per cent in 2015) and a few more self-identified as signmakers (six per cent versus four per cent). Interestingly, however, those who supervise other employees remained steady at 70 per cent
(69 per cent last year), which suggests many non-owners are also now in management roles.
On the Payroll
The vast majority of jobs in the Canadian sign industry are still full-time (92 per cent this year, 95 per cent last year), contrary to shifts elsewhere in the economy. Weekly hours also remain fairly steady. Hourly wages have become noticeably rarer (18 per cent this year, 30 per cent last), with ever more employees salaried instead. And happily for them, more of their salaries topped $50,000 this year than last (a combined 63 per cent, compared to 52 per cent in 2015).
The reporting of company benefits was mostly similar to last year, other than a decrease in professional memberships (12 per cent versus 22 per cent).
Satisfaction, We Gotta Have It
One notably positive trend this year was a rise in job satisfaction (see sample comments). In 2015, 70 per cent of respondents were equally or more satisfied with their jobs than in the past. This year, that proportion grew to 80 per cent, close to the 82 per cent of 2014, although there was no corresponding change in future plans.
Why Do You Say That? – Sample Answers
“I thought going freelance would leave me more time with my family, but I’m a victim of my own success. I don’t have many clients, but because I help them with their workflow, they also have more success, so they ask me to do more work.”
“I’m making more money this year, so there’s less financial stress.”
“I haven’t had a raise in years. I make less than the last person who did my job and
I do five times more work.”
“I now own my sign business.”
“We are always improving our customer service, which allows more time to concentrate on new sales.”
“Five years ago, I was in school and working at this company in the summers. It was not better or worse. Just different.”
“Compared to five years ago, I have more knowledge, skills and responsibility.
I’m trusted with more and I earn more.”
“Profitability is improving and debt is diminishing.”
“The industry is always changing, bringing challenges and personal growth. I love it!”
“Business is booming. There were nine sign shops in my area, but now there are only three. We get the lion’s share of the business, with over 3,000 clients.”
“We moved to a better facility.”
“I’ve made small steps to move ahead, but I’m reaching a point where I won’t be able to advance any further without moving to another province.”
“I’m working less hours and making more money.”
“We are looking at our most profitable year yet for 2016!”
“New technology makes the job easier.”
“Company revenue has doubled every year. And every month is consistently a record-breaking month.”
“Projects are more complicated than before and sign companies are treated with less professional respect than other trades.”
“We’ve got a great staff that doesn’t need much supervision.”
“It’s fun to make art!”
Greatest Job Frustration – Sample Answers
“Working on projects that have little creative freedom.”
“Finding good employees.”
“Competitors who slash pricing and margins.”
“Too many barriers in the industry restricting innovation and the implementation of new technology.”
“Government bureaucracy, including permits in multiple jurisdictions.”
“Not enough time in a day.”
“Architects and design firms get paid for concepts, but sign companies are expected to provide them free of charge.”
“My wage compared to my responsibilities.”
“Rush jobs.”
“Clients treating us as a commodity.”
“Getting paid on time.”
“Too many administrative tasks.”
“Non-billable hours for a job.”
“Having to estimate and re-estimate all the time.”
Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/2016-salary-survey-results/