7th Annual Salary Survey: Is everybody happy?

If you’re reading this issue inside your warehouse or distribution center facility take a good look at the people around you. Are they smiling? They should be.

Based on the findings of Modern’s 7th Annual Salary Survey, just about every person you see is satisfied with their job (99%), 92% of them say like their jobs and 93% say they would have no problem recommending a career in warehouse and DC operations or management.

Now, I don’t like to give away too much data in this column, but when I saw those numbers popping off the page of associate editor Josh Bond’s summary of this year’s findings (page 24), I couldn’t wait to share.

“I agree,” says Bond. “These job satisfaction numbers, in fact most of the data in this year’s survey, signal that this is an industry flush with contented workers and businesses that are now thriving.”

The only slightly negative finding this year was that the average base-salary increase dropped to 4.6% from the 5.2% average reported last year. However, that minor bump in the road (0.6% drop) has done nothing to quell the spirits of Modern readers or dampen the upbeat atmosphere they say currently envelops their facilities.

For example, the specter of drastic cost-saving measures, like layoffs and pay cuts, has been exorcized since 2011; and, more importantly, hiring continues to surge. Back in 2011, just 46% reported their companies had hired or added personnel in the previous 12 months—that figure has jumped to 63%, the largest number in the history of the survey and 10% greater than last year.

And as companies add more people and begin to thrive, bonuses, which increased by 23% this year, are being rewarded more for individual performance than increased sales. To help boost morale even further, fewer readers than ever have reported that their companies have resorted to cutting benefits and overtime to make ends meet.

There were a couple of other data points that made me smile: Half of this year’s respondents say they intend to finish their careers with their current employer, a figure that further cements the satisfaction number; and 25% of respondents are 18- to 34-year-olds, up 5% over last year, marking a subtle youth movement.

However, with all this happy data, warehouse and DC managers still tell us that there are not enough talented people being driven toward U.S. facilities to grow these careers—and that the “talent gap” is real and growing.

“I find it very difficult to reconcile the ‘labor shortage’ with the appeal of the industry and its willingness to hire,” adds Bond. “In fact, I’d say that any efforts to recruit from high schools or colleges should lead with this survey’s results. About 22% of respondents have less than 10 years in the industry, and their average salary is close to $75,000—and they want to grow long and prosperous careers with their employers. I challenge any industry to match these numbers, which continue to trend positively.