Friday, September 27, 2013

What Data You Need to Compare Job Offers

We  have been talking to lots of students about comparing job offers by including in the value of employer benefits, as well as looking at the differences in cost of living in different locations. 

NOTE: What is cost of living? The amount of money needed to sustain a certain level of living, including basic expenses such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare. Cost of living is often used when comparing how expensive it is to live in one city versus another. Cost of living can be a significant factor in personal wealth accumulation because a smaller salary can go further in a city where it doesn't cost a lot to get by, while a large salary can seem insufficient in an expensive city. 

You need to do your research and gather data to make informed decisions about what job offer is the best. We can help at the SMMC! Recently we’ve helped students collect data for 2 popular jobs: Marketing Coordinator and Social Media Analyst. Many of our students compare job offers in Lincoln, Chicago, and Kansas City. 

Data for Marketing Coordinator Job Offers
Job Description:
Coordinates and implements marketing communication projects with responsibilities that include public relations, special events management, advertising, and creating brand awareness. Prepare status reports on marketing efforts. 

Median Salary & Benefits (From Salary.com):

In Lincoln
Core Compensation    Median            % of Total
Base Salary                           $ 43,832            67.9%
Bonuses                                 $ 500                  0.8%
Value of Benefits
Social Security                   $ 3,391              5.3%
401K/403B                         $ 1,685              2.6%
Disability                             $ 310                  0.5%
Healthcare                          $ 6,507              10.1%
Pension                                $ 2,837              4.4%
Time Off                               $ 5,456              8.5%
Total Compensation       $ 64,518           100%

In Chicago
Core Compensation    Median            % of Total
Base Salary                           $ 53,527            69.2%
Bonuses                                 $ 610                  0.8%
Value of Benefits
Social Security                   $ 4,141              5.4%
401K/403B                         $ 2,057              2.7%
Disability                             $ 379                 0.5%
Healthcare                          $ 6,507              8.4%
Pension                                $ 3,465              4.5%
Time Off                               $ 6,663              8.6%
Total Compensation       $ 77,349           100%

In Kansas City
Core Compensation    Median             % of Total
Base Salary                            $ 49,700            68.8%
Bonuses                                  $ 566                   0.8%
Value of Benefits
Social Security                    $ 3,845               5.3%
401K/403B                          $ 1,910               2.6%
Disability                              $ 352                  0.5%
Healthcare                           $ 6,507               9.0%
Pension                                 $ 3,217               4.5%
Time Off                                $ 6,187               8.6%
Total Compensation       $ 72,284           100%

Comparing These Numbers (Cost of Living Figures from cnn.com)



·         Comparing Lincoln to Chicago:
Lincoln Salary =
$43,832 (Rounded to $45,000 for cost of living comparisons)

 Comparable Salary in Chicago =
$56,866

Actual Salary for Marketing Coordinators in Chicago =
$53,537

Benefits: Lincoln = $20,686 vs. Chicago = $23,822
 
Reasons for Cost of Living Difference in Chicago
  • Groceries = 16% more
  • Housing = 69% more
  • Utilities = 9% more
  • Transportation = 29% more
  • Health Care = 0% more


·         Comparing Lincoln to Kansas City:
 Lincoln Salary =
$43,832 (Rounded to $45,000 for cost of living comparisons)

 Comparable Salary in Kansas City =
$49,008

Actual salary for Marketing Coordinators in Kansas City =
$49,700

Benefits: Lincoln = 20,686 vs. Chicago = $22,584

      Reasons for Cost of Living Difference in Kansas City
  • Groceries = 7% more
  • Housing = 17% more
  • Utilities = 14% more
  • Transportation = 2% more
  • Health Care = 1% more
Data for Social Media Analyst Job Offers

Job Description:
Collects and analyzes data related to social media marketing campaigns. Assists organizations in identifying appropriate social media channels for their specific business needs, and tailors campaigns to the target audience. Tracks performance of various social media initiatives and develops/implements changes to improve business results. 

Median Salary & Benefits (From Salary.com):

In Lincoln 

Core Compensation    Median            % of Total
Base Salary                           $ 43,819            66.4%
Bonuses                                 $ 1,670              2.5%
Value of Benefits
Social Security                   $ 3,480             5.3%
401K/403B                         $ 1,729              2.6%
Disability                             $ 318                 0.5%
Healthcare                          $ 6,507             9.9%
Pension                                $ 2,911               4.4%
Time Off                               $ 5,599               8.5%
Total Compensation       $ 66,032           100%

In Chicago

Core Compensation    Median            % of Total
Base Salary                           $ 53,511             67.6%
Bonuses                                 $ 2,039               2.6%
Value of Benefits
Social Security                   $ 4,250              5.4%
401K/403B                         $ 2,111                2.7%
Disability                             $ 389                 0.5%
Healthcare                          $ 6,507              8.2%
Pension                                $ 3,555              4.5%
Time Off                               $ 6,837              8.6%
Total Compensation      $ 79,198           100%

In Kansas City

Core Compensation    Median            % of Total
Base Salary                           $ 49,685            67.1%
Bonuses                                 $ 1,893                2.6%
Value of Benefits
Social Security                   $ 3,946              5.3%
401K/403B                         $ 1,960               2.6%
Disability                             $ 361                  0.5%
Healthcare                          $ 6,507              8.8%
Pension                                $ 3,301              4.5%
Time Off                               $ 6,348              8.6%
Total Compensation       $ 74,001           100%

Comparing These Numbers (Cost of Living Figures from cnn.com)


Comparing Lincoln to Chicago:
Lincoln Salary =
$43,819 (Rounded to $45,000 for cost of living comparisons)

 Comparable Salary in Chicago =
$56,866

Actual Salary for Social Media Analysts in Chicago =
$53,511

Benefits = Lincoln = 22,213 vs. Chicago = $25,687
 
Reasons for Cost of Living Difference in Chicago

  • Groceries = 16% more
  • Housing = 69% more
  • Utilities = 9% more
  • Transportation = 29% more
  • Health Care = 0% more


Comparing Lincoln to Kansas City:
Lincoln Salary =
$43,819 (Rounded to $45,000 for cost of living comparisons)

 Comparable Salary in Kansas City =
$49,685

Actual Salary for Social Media Analysts in Kansas City =
$49,685

Benefits: Lincoln = 22,213 vs. Chicago = $24,316

       Reasons for Cost of Living Difference in Kansas City
  • Groceries = 7% more
  • Housing = 17% more
  • Utilities = 14% more
  • Transportation = 2% more
  • Health Care = 1% more
Resources We Recommend:

Salary.com – Get median salaries and benefits by location.
Cnn.com – Offers an easy-to-use cost of living calculator.

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