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Understanding STC Salary Database: A Comprehensive Overview by James Bousquet

Learn about STC's salary database, its contents, and how to utilize it for optimal benefit in this mini-webinar hosted by James Bousquet in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Discover insights on technical communication employment and compensation levels based on BLS data, and grasp the significance for job-seekers, employees, managers, and freelancers.

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Understanding STC Salary Database: A Comprehensive Overview by James Bousquet

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  1. Understanding the STC salary databaseSTC NEO mini-webinar, 15 May 2018

  2. James Bousquet • Waterloo, Ontario, Canada • Trainer at ATS Automation • STC Treasurer since May 2017 • Skiing, running

  3. James Bousquet • Waterloo, Ontario, Canada • Trainer at ATS Automation • STC Treasurer since May 2017 • Skiing, running

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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Who should use it? Why? • Job-seekers; new to profession • 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

  8. 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?

  9. How should I use it? • Calculate your wages • 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?

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

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

  15. 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

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

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