This year’s annual reward survey for personnel professionals shows that average pay for Personnel Directors at £56,757 is 3.2 per cent ahead of the average for other functions. This marks an end to the trend of personnel directors’ pay being lower than the market rate. The survey undertaken by The Reward Group is being launched today 15 February 2001, at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s Compensation Forum Conference.

The Reward survey shows that CIPD members can expect to earn more than non-members with senior managers who are CIPD fellows able to earn an additional £3,500. Middle managers are also able to command up to £2,250 more.

The findings also revealed that the pay gap between male and female personnel professionals has virtually disappeared at all levels except director level where it stands at 17.7 per cent. This figure was 12.1 per cent in 1999 and 2.5 per cent in 1998. Surprisingly, the gap over the past two years is going in the wrong direction though is a great improvement on the 30.2 per cent difference reported in 1992.

Those specialising in compensation and benefits still command higher salaries and are on average paid 12 per cent (£37,000) higher than the average personnel manager at the same level. Compensation and benefits specialists, traditionally the highest paid discipline are again ahead of the 11.4 per cent differential of last year.

The picture is not so bright for middle managers whose current average pay is £26,000 and 7.9 per cent below managers in other functions who earn on average £28,217. Though personnel professionals are less happy about their pay, they feel better about their job security and career prospects than they did in 1999.