2016 Wage Planning Survey

Posted on September 29, 2015 • Posted in News Articles

Carlson Dettmann Consulting, LLC is pleased to release the results of our 2016 Wisconsin Public Sector Annual Wage Planning Survey. This survey is based on the planned (or adopted) decisions made as it relates to pay structure salary increases for calendar year 2016. A follow-up survey is anticipated in late-spring 2016 to determine the actual adopted increases.

As it pertains to this survey, for most employee groups, the averages across the state indicate continued modest wages increases are planned from 2015 to 2016. The results estimate a 1.6% structural increase for non- union staff (exempt and non-exempt) for 2016. The details of the sample sizes (n), and averages associated with each of the employee groups, are captured below. While we requested regionalized information, and have provided the data, we encourage entities to use the regionalized data sparingly as there are many cases where the sample sizes aren’t at an optimal level.

The data reflects the responses of those organizations that provided a structural increase. However, the responses also indicate that more-and-more organizations are moving to some form of performance-based pay, and the decisions (as it relates to structural increases) faced by these employers continue to be challenging. As in our prior survey, police (law enforcement) continues to lead the pack in terms of wage increases. Based on the commentary, the larger-than-normal wage increases can be partially attributed to offsets for increased pension contributions.

For purposes of comparison, the recently published 42nd Annual “WorldatWork 2015-2016 Salary Budget Survey” reports higher anticipated structural increases. For the Central Region (which includes Wisconsin), the anticipated salary structure increase for 2016 is 2.0%, as well as an actual reported average of 2.0% for 2015.

Download the complete 2016 Wage Planning Report

Carlson Dettmann Consulting, LLC is available to address all of your employee compensation needs. Please contact Patrick Glynn (920.418.2140) or Charlie Carlson (608.239.7991) for more information on how we may assist your organization.