Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, average training salaries grew nearly 3 percent in 2019-2020 to $87,658, according to Training magazine’s annual Salary Survey of 1,089 readers, which ran from late March to May 2020. The average increase in salary in the last 12 months (not including a promotion or change of employer) was 3 percent, the same as in 2018-2019. The majority (54 percent) of respondents typically work between 40 and 44 hours per week. Some 34 percent of respondents said their salary was low relative to their responsibilities, while another 54 percent said it was equitable (vs. 43 and 47 percent, respectively, the prior year). Some 12 percent believe they are well paid relative to their responsibilities (up from 10 percent last year). Fifty percent of respondents said they received a bonus in 2019, and 51 percent are eligible for one this year. The average cash bonus was $9,311, down a bit from $9,998 the year before.
Eight percent of respondents said employers asked them to take a pay cut in 2019-2020, up from 1 percent the previous year. Some 37 percent of respondents said their organizations cut budgets in the last 12 months, 4 percent more than in 2018-2019. Travel was trimmed by 53 percent of respondents’ organizations, up from 31 percent last year, primarily due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Some 16 percent froze salaries vs. 7 percent in 2018-2019. And 10 percent eliminated bonuses vs. 6 percent the prior year. Employee layoffs were noted by 19 percent, the same as last year.
Most Training professionals continue to enjoy what they do for a living, with 78 percent saying they wouldn’t choose another career if they could do it all over again. Of those who preferred other careers, popular answers included architect, IT/computer/ cybersecurity expert, and medical provider.
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