Maintenance Workers See Pay Raises Rise to 2.9% in 2006, Nearing the 3% Benchmark

Maintenance employees at U.S. manufacturing plants received an average pay increase of 2.9% in 2006—an improvement over the 2.32% rise reported in 2005—yet still slightly below the 3% benchmark that many U.S. workers expect. This data comes from Compdata Surveys of Olathe, Kan., which collected payroll information from 2,224 manufacturing firms this spring. Those companies employ 1.32 million workers nationwide, including 18,606 with titles classified as “plant maintenance.”

In the study, maintenance roles were defined as follows:

• maintenance mechanic
• maintenance electrician
• maintenance supervisor
• senior maintenance supervisor
• maintenance manager
• senior maintenance manager
• plant engineering manager
• senior maintenance mechanic
• senior maintenance electrician

Although the 2.9% average increase is still below the 3% target, the trend is positive. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, only one year—2004—has seen an average maintenance increase above 3% (3.09%). With strong financial results across U.S. manufacturers in the past 18 months, many employers anticipate maintaining or improving their pay budgets.

How Do You Stack Up? If you’re a maintenance professional, you can compare your compensation to industry benchmarks. Email RP editor Paul Arnold with the subject line “PAY SURVEY REQUEST” to receive a free 2006 Reliable Plant survey summary. The report details salary and raise data by job title, plant size, and region.

“I think the outlook is very good,” says Theresa Worman, vice president of business development at Compdata Surveys. “Most American manufacturers are optimistic about 2007. While healthcare costs remain a concern—especially for unionized workforces—companies are cautiously navigating benefits spending.”

Recent U.S. Department of Labor data shows that total compensation for unionized workers in goods‑producing industries is 40.6% higher than for non‑union workers. Benefits are 82.8% higher overall, with insurance benefits 117.8% higher.

Compdata’s findings illustrate a shift toward more equitable pay for maintenance staff. In 2005, manufacturers budgeted an average pay increase of 3.35% across all employees, but maintenance received only 2.32%—56% of the overall average. In 2006, the overall budget rose to 3.42%, and maintenance received 2.9%—82% of the average. Worman predicts a 3.41% pay‑increase budget for 2007.

“The compensation pie is limited,” Worman notes. “Whether companies face layoffs or expansion, retaining top maintenance talent is essential, especially given the skilled‑worker shortage in industry.”

West Region Leads in Raises

Maintenance pay increases in 2006 ranged from 3.81% for plant engineering managers to 2.21% for maintenance mechanics and 2.28% for maintenance electricians. The West Region topped the chart with a 3.53% average raise, compared with 3.17% in the Central, 2.76% in the East, and 1.86% in the South.

Salary data also favors the West. For six of eight job titles, West workers earned the highest average pay—plant engineering manager ($92,026), senior maintenance supervisor ($63,160), maintenance supervisor ($53,442), senior maintenance electrician ($52,584), senior maintenance mechanic ($45,707), and maintenance electrician ($42,198). The East led for maintenance manager ($72,235) and maintenance mechanic ($37,800), while the South recorded the lowest averages across seven titles.

Plant Size and Compensation

Across plant sizes, the West consistently outperformed other regions. For plants with more than 5,000 employees, the West led in salary for five of eight classifications. Similar patterns appeared in the 1,001–5,000 and 501–1,000 employee brackets.

Top and Bottom Titles by Raise

Top five titles by percentage raise:

1. Senior maintenance supervisor, East Region, 501–1,000‑employee plant – 13.9%
2. Maintenance manager, West, up to 100 employees – 12.88%
3. Senior maintenance electrician, East, 101–200 employees – 12.56%
4. Maintenance supervisor, South, up to 100 employees – 11.92%
5. Senior maintenance supervisor, Central, 101–200 employees – 11.47%

Bottom five titles by percentage change:

1. Maintenance electrician, South, up to 100 employees – -4.51%
2. Senior maintenance electrician, Central, 201–500 employees – -3.99%
3. Maintenance supervisor, East, 101–200 employees – -3.87%
4. Maintenance manager, South, 1,001–5,000 employees – -3.82%
5. Senior maintenance electrician, West, 1,001–5,000 employees – -3.82%

Top and Bottom Titles by Salary

Highest paid titles:

1. Plant engineering manager, West, 201–500 employees – $92,354
2. Plant engineering manager, East, 501–1,000 employees – $91,163
3. Plant engineering manager, East, 1,001–5,000 employees – $90,409
4. Plant engineering manager, West, 501–1,000 employees – $88,958
5. Plant engineering manager, East, 201–500 employees – $87,475

Lowest paid titles:

1. Maintenance mechanic, South, >5,000 employees – $33,412
2. Maintenance mechanic, South, 101–200 employees – $34,254
3. Maintenance mechanic, South, up to 100 employees – $34,355
4. Maintenance mechanic, South, 501–1,000 employees – $34,724
5. Maintenance mechanic, South, 201–500 employees – $34,757