Survey respondents had plenty to say about their salaries, the state of manufacturing and the talent crisis. Here is a small taste:
More Incentives Needed.
My salary is acceptable for the area that I am living and the type of industry that I am in. I believe that there should be more incentives to bring industry back to the states. Our plant was 550 strong seven years ago, and now we are only at 100 employees because of product going to Mexico. Most of the higher-education platforms are pushing white-collar education/training, and the hands-on trades such as tool & die maker are no longer being taught. If the United States is going to be an industrial giant again, then we need to build the foundation starting now. -- Engineering manager in the consumer goods/durables industry with 26-plus years of experience, living in the South Central region and earning $95,000
Declining Medical Insurance
Good job, good company, fair wage. Medical insurance is declining. -- Plant/facilities manager in the plastics and rubber products industry with 26-plus years of experience, living in the Pacific region and earning $74,000
Few and Far Between
I work for a private company. Pay raises are very few and far between. -- Supply chain/logistics manager in the automotive/transportation vehicles & equipment industry with 21 to 25 years of experience, living in the South Atlantic region and earning $70,000
Tough Year
I feel I am well compensated for my job. Career growth and opportunities to be part of shaping the direction of the company are most important to me. Our company has the capacity to do so much more work, but the sales opportunities for capital equipment just aren't there this year. 2013 has been a tough year. -- Human resources manager in the industrial machinery industry with 11 to 15 years of experience, living in the North Central region and earning $115,000
Raises Lag Cost of Living
Started here 13 years ago. Have never had a raise that kept up with the cost of living. Took an 8% pay cut 10 years ago. Eight years ago got salary back. No raise since then. -- R&D product development manager in the aerospace and defense industry with 26-plus years of experience, living in the Middle Atlantic region and earning $82,000
Teamwork is Important
The quality of my work situation (the manager I work for, the team I work with) is really important to me. I could make more somewhere else, but I really enjoy the work I do and the team I'm on. -- Lean/continuous improvement manager in the metals industry with 21 to 25 years of experience, living in the Pacific region and earning $101,000
Flexibility Beats Raise
I would gladly accept more schedule flexibility, personal time or vacation time, rather than a salary increase. -- Plant/facilities manager in the apparel/textiles industry, living in the North Central region and earning $65,000
Unappreciated
I am grossly underpaid and unappreciated. – environmental, health and safety manager in the food and beverage industry with 26-plus years of experience, living in the New England region and earning $42,000
Talents are Underutilized
My talents were not being utilized or appreciated, and I was becoming bored with my job, so I began job searching about five years ago. Because of the very poor job market, I was not able to find a suitable position in the geographical area that I wanted to live. That was very frustrating. I have decided to remain at my current job until my retirement in a few years. – R&D/product development manager in the chemicals industry with 21 to 25 years of experience, living in the New England region and earning $128,000
Low Pay
The salary is extremely low for the value to the company and revenue generated, but I enjoy the work. – sales/marketing manager in the chemicals industry with 26-plus years of experience, living in the Middle Atlantic region and earning $60,000
Stock Incentives Satisfy
In addition to my annual bonus, I have stock incentives that have had a very satisfactory performance and long-term incentive plan. – corporate/executive manager in the industrial machinery industry with 26-plus years of experience, living in the North Central region and earning $198,000
Hard to Find Help
I am responsible for 4 locations and run one facility. It is very difficult to find qualified technical people in both hands on and management positions. – director of manufacturing/production in the plastics and rubber products industry with 16 to 20 years of experience, living in the Middle Atlantic region and earning $150,000
Beware the Experience Drought
I see a large "experience drought" coming over thenext decade as baby boomers like me retire. Companies need to work on retiree retention initiatives, such as part-time schedules, to allow the retiring generation to transition their knowledge base to the "new folks." – financial manager/controller in the chemicals industry with 26-plus years of experience, living in the Mountain region and earning $135,000
These comments are in response to the 2014 IndustryWeek Salary Survey: Manufacturing Pay Gets a Boost.
