Plant Maintenance Pay Raises Surge to 3.06% in 2008 – Highest Since 2004

American manufacturers awarded maintenance employees an average pay increase of 3.06% in 2008, a sharp rise from the modest 1.31% in 2007 and the most substantial jump since 2004’s 3.09% increase.

This finding comes from Compdata Surveys, a leading compensation research firm, and was compiled for Reliable Plant magazine.

In the spring, Compdata collected payroll and benefits data from 2,164 manufacturing firms across the United States. These companies employ 885,616 workers, including 10,673 who hold maintenance‑focused roles. The study defines maintenance titles as plant engineering manager, maintenance manager, senior maintenance supervisor, maintenance supervisor, senior maintenance electrician, senior maintenance mechanic, maintenance electrician, and maintenance mechanic.

Manufacturers had budgeted a 3.36% raise for plant staff in 2008, but maintenance workers received an average increase that was 91% of that target—an impressive improvement over 2007, when maintenance professionals earned just 37.6% of the 3.48% budget average.

Hourly maintenance positions received an average raise of 3.28% (vs. 2.01% in 2007), while supervisory roles earned 2.84% (vs. 0.97% in 2008). Excluding plant engineering managers, maintenance leaders saw a 3.72% increase this year.

“Organizations are rewarding those with ample experience and expertise,” says Theresa Worman, VP of Business Development at Compdata Surveys. “The average increase for supervisory positions has nearly tripled over the last year. Even in tough economic times, supervisors often receive higher raises because they take on more responsibilities as companies cut back elsewhere.”

Historical Context
From 2002 to 2007, maintenance roles averaged a 2.45% annual raise, led by senior maintenance electricians at 3.02%. In 2007, the average increase was 1.31%, with the lowest title, senior maintenance supervisor, at 0.21% and the highest, maintenance manager, at 2.02%.

In 2008, six of eight titles exceeded a 3% raise:

• Maintenance supervisor – 4.24%
• Senior maintenance supervisor – 3.78%
• Senior maintenance mechanic – 3.66%
• Maintenance mechanic – 3.44%
• Maintenance manager – 3.15%
• Maintenance electrician – 3.03%

Only senior maintenance electricians fell just short of 3% (2.99%). This milestone has not been reached since 2002.

Demographic Breakdown by Plant Size
Plant size was a strong predictor of raise magnitude:

• 501–1,000 employees – 3.88% (best)
• >5,000 employees – 3.55%
• 201–500 employees – 3.09%
• ≤100 employees – 2.96%
• 1,001–5,000 employees – 2.49%
• 101–200 employees – 1.73%

Regional Variations
East – 4.02%
Central – 3.82%
South – 2.46%
West – 1.45%

Top Five Titles by Highest Raise

1. Maintenance electrician, East, plants 501–1,000 – 17.87%
2. Maintenance electrician, East, plants ≤100 – 15.28%
3. Senior maintenance electrician, West, >5,000 – 13.14%
4. Senior maintenance supervisor, East, >5,000 – 12.49%
5. Senior maintenance mechanic, West, 501–1,000 – 11.49%

Bottom Five Titles by Lowest Raise

1. Senior maintenance electrician, East, 101–200 – –12.25%
2. Maintenance electrician, East, 101–200 – –11.09%
3. Maintenance electrician, West, 101–200 – –8.88%
4. Senior maintenance supervisor, West, 1,001–5,000 – –7.16%
5. Senior maintenance supervisor, West, >5,000 – –5.64%

Average Pay by Title (2008)

Highest:

• Plant engineering manager – $98,035 (East, 1,001–5,000 employees)
• Maintenance manager – $82,187 (West, 501–1,000 employees)
• Senior maintenance supervisor – $67,866 (East, 501–1,000 employees)
• Maintenance supervisor – $59,015 (West, >5,000 employees)
• Senior maintenance electrician – $56,231 (West, 501–1,000 employees)
• Senior maintenance mechanic – $49,898 (West, 501–1,000 employees)
• Maintenance electrician – $46,068 (West, 501–1,000 employees)
• Maintenance mechanic – $41,317 (Central, >5,000 employees)

Lowest:

• Plant engineering manager – $79,422 (Central, ≤100 employees)
• Maintenance manager – $70,565 (East, ≤100 employees)
• Senior maintenance supervisor – $57,733 (South, 101–200 employees)
• Maintenance supervisor – $47,540 (South, ≤100 employees)
• Senior maintenance electrician – $46,178 (Central, 101–200 employees)
• Senior maintenance mechanic – $41,066 (East, 101–200 employees)
• Maintenance electrician – $37,268 (South, 101–200 employees)
• Maintenance mechanic – $35,581 (South, ≤100 employees)

Worman highlights key factors for 2008 and beyond:

• Supply Costs: Rising prices for oil, steel, lumber, and copper are squeezing manufacturers’ margins, which can limit wage growth.
• Baby Boomers: Many experienced workers are staying on longer due to high health‑insurance costs and longer lifespans, boosting overall workforce experience.

To purchase the full Compdata Surveys 2008 salary and benefits report—or to include your company in the next survey—visit www.compdatasurveys.com or call 800‑300‑9570.

How Do You Stack Up?
Request a free 2008 survey summary from Reliable Plant. Email editor Paul Arnold at parnold@noria.com with the subject line “PAY SURVEY REQUEST.” Your personalized report will be emailed to you.

Raise Rankings (2002‑2008)

• Senior maintenance electricians – 3.33%
• Senior maintenance mechanics – 3.11%
• Maintenance managers – 2.95%
• Maintenance electricians – 2.92%
• Maintenance supervisors – 2.73%
• Plant engineering managers – 2.58%
• Maintenance mechanics – 2.35%
• Senior maintenance supervisors – 2.19%