Pay Raises Are the Smallest In Decades, Surveys Show

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Two surveys to be released Tuesday found employers have increased salaries this year by the smallest percentage in decades.

Human-resource consultants Watson Wyatt Worldwide Inc. and Hay Group estimate that median pay raises for 2009 ranged between 2% and 3%. The U.S. Labor Department says pay for the average worker increased 2.2% in the year ended March 31, down from 3.2% in the year-earlier 12-month period.

For next year, the firms are projecting slightly bigger raises of 3%. That’s the smallest forecast increase in the 29 years Hay Group has done its survey. Watson Wyatt says its prediction is among its smallest ever. The Watson Wyatt and Hay Group surveys try to cover a broad swath of workers, including both salaried and hourly employees in most industries.

...

The analysts say the averages mask considerable variation in how employers treat their best and worst employees. This year, Watson Wyatt estimates that top employees—those who “far exceeded expectations”—received raises averaging 4%, while lower-ranked employees got only 0.2% increases.

Such pay disparities have been growing in recent years as companies compete to retain top talent.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405...2696514990.html

[mendeleev 68]

Haven't had a raise in 2.5 years and don't expect one this year.

[john_and_marlene 162]

I just got a raise this month--the largest raise I've had in the past decade.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I just got a raise this month--the largest raise I've had in the past decade.

You must be in the bankruptcy or foreclosure business - the only businesses that are booming right now.

[john_and_marlene 162]

I just got a raise this month--the largest raise I've had in the past decade.

You must be in the bankruptcy or foreclosure business - the only businesses that are booming right now.

I am in neither of those, but I am in a well-funded scientific research environment.

[almaty 19]

human services is hurting..i doubt, there been an increase if so, small in nature

well-funded scientific research environment. seems to be the answer

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I just got a raise this month--the largest raise I've had in the past decade.

You must be in the bankruptcy or foreclosure business - the only businesses that are booming right now.

I am in neither of those, but I am in a well-funded scientific research environment.

Good for you!

[Peikko 1,575]

I know someone who has had to take a 10% hit in their pay. That's tough. I still get my raises regular as clockwork at the moment