Zweig Group Survey Gives Insight on Architecture - Engineering Industry Practices

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (July 24, 2017) – Zweig Group’s 2017 Policies, Procedures and Benefits Survey of Architecture, Engineering, Planning and Environmental Consulting Firms released earlier this year, surveyed industry firms on a wide variety of topics related to human resources policies, benefits options, and spending. The survey addresses maternity/paternity leave, paid time off, professional development, compensation, relocation, 401K plans, group health insurance and more. The report also covers the education, background, responsibilities and compensation of HR directors in the industry. The survey found that the average Human Resources director in an architecture, engineering, planning or environmental consulting firm has around eighteen years of experience and earns a base salary of $128,500. Most firms (74 percent) paid a bonus to their HR director last year. The median HR director’s bonus was five percent of total salary. Forty-two percent of all responding firms did not have a full-time HR department, meaning that the staff handling HR functions also handle other responsibilities in the firm. Eighty-one percent of respondents said that the person in charge of HR functions participates in the firm’s annual business planning process. Only 20 percent of respondents said the person in charge of HR functions has an MBA or other master’s degree. For healthcare, many firms are paying a significant portion (70-80 percent) of the premium for employee only coverage and around (50-80 percent) of the premium for employee/family plans. Sixty-eight percent of respondents offer tuition or fee reimbursement for continued education. The median dollar amount covered was $3,500. These costs were typically recovered upon successful completion of the coursework. Only three percent of responding firms did not pay for any fees associated with a professional society membership. In the event that meeting fees or annual dues were paid by the firm, all responding firms paid the fees in full. For more information on Zweig Group’s 2017 Policies, Procedures and Benefits Survey, click here.