Association of Partners for Public Lands
Engaging the public in caring for our nation's natural and cultural resources

2004  APPL Wage & Benefits Survey

The APPL conducted a 2004 wage and benefits survey for its members. Only those members who participated in the survey received a full report of the results. A summary is provided for those members who chose not to participate. Forty-nine members, including 62% of cooperating associations, completed survey forms. Respondents included associations that partner with NPS, BLM, USACE, USDAFS, USFWS, and state park agencies.

RESULTS SUMMARY:

45% of associations provide a bonus for their executive director. Every organizations base this bonus on job performance and 77% also use finances as a criteria.

Full time executive director’s work between 40 and 80 hours per week.

Executive director wages vary considerably within associations of similar size. However, executive director wages are somewhat consistent with the trend for wages to rise as revenue increases. There are a few cases where a wage is significantly less than the norm.

The average executive director’s wage has increased based on previous surveys conducted in 1995 and 2004.

 55% of executive directors said wage amounts were appropriate and 45% said too low.

 How associations determine wage scales
 

22% of associations in all size categories indicated an automatic wage increase ranging from 1.9 to 3.5% with an average of 3%.

43% of associations indicated a maximum annual merit increase based on job performance (including any cost of living increase) ranging from 4% to 25% with an average of 7.3%.

24% of associations indicated there is no automatic wage increase and the board determines when wages should change.

61% of associations of all sizes indicated they were raising base wages in 2005 ranging from 25 cents for clerks to a range of 1 to 5% increase. The majority indicated a 3% to 5% increase.

Bookstore manager wages range from from $8.76/hour to $19.66 per hour with an average of 13.02.

Bookstore sales clerk wages range from $6 to $20 with an average of $8.65 and no direct correlation between association size and wage. 40% of clerks make under $8/hour.