Chamber employer survey shows area wage growth Continuing

The recently completed the 2019 Western & Central Wisconsin Wage Survey has revealed the average 2019 pay increases for all participating employers was 3.00% for non-exempt employees and 3.03% for exempt employees (excluding zero increases and non-responses). This shows continued wage growth consistent with 2018, which was 3.15% and 3.09% respectively. Notable is that participation in the survey improved significantly from 151 to 162 organizations.   

These figures have been updated since the original release of the survey due to one error in data entered by a participating organization, which resulted in an overstatement of the average pay increases.  The survey has now been re-released to all who purchased it.  The average 2019 pay increases reported on Page 2 of the document were updated and now reflect similar wage increases as seen across the USA, right at 3%.  The median (50th percentile) has been 3.0% since 2014.  


The average increase is an “indicator of positive wage growth and robust market conditions,” notes Deborah Marshall, Senior Manager, HR Consulting, at Wipfli in Eau Claire, who serves as the lead technical advisor for the survey. “Although there are always variations in numbers reported due to different employers participating (or not participating) and individual job fluctuations, the overall reported increases to base pay is still a fairly reliable statistic. 

In its 20th year now, the survey results were compiled from submissions by 162 companies (up from 151 in 2018) in various industries.  There was also a significant increase in the actual number of employee pay rates included at 23,255 – a 28% increase from 2018.  Geographically, the coverage area encompasses the Chambers of Commerce in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Marshfield, Menomonie, Portage County, Rice Lake, Wausau, and Wisconsin Rapids.  Also involved were local chapters of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in the Chippewa Valley, La Crosse, Wausau and Winona, MN. The survey is administered by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.

Base pay levels for 153 jobs were included in the survey. Manufacturers represented 49% of the employers and 29% of the rates of pay in the survey.  The survey also has industry breakouts for healthcare, financial institutions, non-profits, and a general category for all other types of organizations.
Click here for a preview summary of the overall results

Accessing the full report with specific job detail
The full survey results are available to employers for purchase via the Eau Claire Chamber. A copy of the survey will be available at the Eau Claire Public Library. Participating members of the Chambers of Commerce and SHRM chapters receive a copy at a reduced price. 
Click here to access the online order form 

For more information, contact: 
Danielle Kummer, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce
kummer@eauclairechamber.org 
715-858-0618. ​
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