DWS Salary Survey

[Guyute]

This message is primarily intended for Claude, but I think others would be interested in the response.

The disclaimer at the top of the web site mentions the following:

"We find that the salaries + bonuses of 80% of the actuaries that we speak with fall within these ranges"

Another thread suggests that it is fairly common to get 15-30% increase in a job change. Are the numbers on the DW survey before or after placement? With base+bonus, I am currently right in the middle of the stated range (good job :smile: ) in a medium COL, but should I move even with only a 10% increase, I would actually be above the range. I'm curious to see if I should be comparing where I stand or where I'm going.

[Anonymous]

These surveys are useful as a benchmark, but they're not the only thing I would place a decision on. If someone offered me a job with more fun (as you define fun) and in a better location, I would consider it for a very small increase in salary if I was already at the top of a range anyway.

Depending on personal circumstances and objectives, I would not be offended by taking a lower salary as long as the rest of the package was desirable.

[Anonymous]

Well said. I second that: fun over money --not too much though.

[Guyute]

I realize that salary is not the only thing to consider when changing jobs. However, I am happy in my current position (good people, good work, "fun"), but am looking for a change. I would be perfectly content staying where I am, but would like to venture out a bit and try something new (new location, new company, etc). All I was trying to say was that it seems common for a job change to include a 15-30% increase and I was wanting to know if this would be unreasonable to assume based on my current situation.

[DW Simpson]

Quote: Are the numbers on the DW survey before or after placement?

The numbers are a static representation of salaries+bonus. A snapshot. We pool a broad survey of currently employed actuaries supplemented with some of our placement figures to update the survey. It represents a compensation cross-section of the actuarial population so it's appropriate to compare it to your current base+bonus.

Quote: Another thread suggests that it is fairly common to get 15-30% increase in a job change.

Increases for a job change are all over the map. It's hard to point to a 'common' % increase.

[Guyute]

Thanks for your response.

I think you're an okay guy (despite what DTNF thinks :smile: )