Most business travel management industry employees are very satisfied or satisfied with compensation, according to a Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) survey of 465 U.S. travel buyers. The report creates compensation and benefits data on the business travel management industry.
GBTA says the average base salary for respondents is $93,937, and respondents reported their base salary increased an average of 3.6 percent over 2012. The vast majority (69 percent) of those reporting a salary receive a bonus with an average bonus of $13,845. Most employees (63 percent) maintain they are very satisfied or satisfied with their compensation.
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Average compensation showed a relationship to total domestic travel spend of the employing company, with total compensation (includes salary, bonus and commission) tending to increase with increasing travel spend, GBTA says.
For example, respondents with total domestic travel spend of less than $2.5 million report an average base salary of $76,080 while those with spend of more than $10 million report an average of $108,749. Also, respondents with higher title levels and domestic travel spend are generally more likely to cite professional affiliation with GBTA or a GBTA chapter.
When it comes to insurance, in general, insurance is paid for by a joint contribution between employer and employee. The largest shares of respondents say they and their employer contribute jointly to dental (85 percent), preferred provider organization (PPO) (81 percent) and vision (79 percent) insurances, while accidental death/travel is the most common insurance paid in full by employers (51 percent).
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Looking at other benefits, GBTA reports nearly all of their employers offer a 401(k)/403(b) plan according to respondents. Large majorities indicate convention attendance, mileage reimbursement and professional association dues are paid fully by the employer (over three-quarters each). Tuition reimbursement tops the list of benefits paid jointly between the employer and employee with 43 percent of respondents indicating this.
“The 2013 Travel Management Compensation & Benefits Survey is designed to allow individuals to easily compare their compensation level and benefits with their peers,” said Joseph Bates, vice president of research at GBTA. “It should be noted that these statistics should serve as guidelines rather than absolute standards however, as any two organizations may offer their employees a reasonably attractive compensation package and yet be very different.”
GBTA surveyed 465 travel buyers, both GBTA members and non-members, in the U.S. from September 11-24, 2013.
Visit www.GBTA.org