Salary Survey 2005

Longer working hours, lower salaries and a strong desire to work in specific locations characterised the results of this year's salary survey which for the first time was conducted electronically

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The survey was conducted against a backdrop of a tightening jobs market for employees and some welcome easing of shortages for employers. But how much has the market moved. The survey shows that salaries have fallen across the board and that the working week has risen on average by 2.5 hours to 37.5 hours but many people are working part time and the difference between part time salaries and full time salaries is not that great.

If we take an average across all types of workplace and job title salaries have fallen since 2002 by 4.5% to £34,300. While optometrists have seen a fall of 3.8% to £41,500 as their numbers have risen Dispensing Opticians have seen their average salary fall to £26,080 - an 8.5% drop.

By workplace type the falls are even greater. Those working in multiples have seen their average salary fall from £33,000 to £28,350, that's a 14% drop. Clearly the age, sex and part-time profiles come into play as do the fact that new practices are often in the multiple sector.

Despite all of these falls staff still manage to find new jobs quickly. Three job seekers in five say they found their current job in less than one month. When geography is brought into the equation things really start to get complicated. The remainder of this article is a run down of some of the survey highlights to help you assess where you sit in the salary picture. 

PROFILE OF THOSE TAKING PART
Before diving into the salary numbers it is worthwhile having a look at the breakdown of the job functions, seniority and location of those responding to the survey. In contrast with previous surveys the majority of respondents were male (54%). The age profile showed the average to be 36 years the largest numbers being in the 25 to 34 (37%) age group. A quarter were aged between 35 and 44, 17% between 45 and 54 and 15% in the 18 to 24 group. The remainder were over 55.

In our group 79% work full time and the rest part-time. The breakdown of actual hours worked show the vast majority (39%) work a normal 35 to 39 hour week and 22% between 40 and 44 hours. A tenth work between 45 and 49 hours and 7% about 50 hours. At the lower end of the scale just four per cent work in each of the three ten-hour bands up to 30 hours and  9% between 30 and 34 hours.

The majority of the respondents were in the Midlands (19%) with greater London (16%) and the South east and the South West next on 13% and 11 % respectively. Other significant groups were from Scotland and The North West (both on 8%), East Anglia (7%) and Yorkshire. The North East, Wales, Northern Ireland and Eire, Europe and RoW were all below 4%.

Not surprisingly the majority of our respondents work in the independent sector (42%) followed by either a multiple (23%) or a franchise (14%). Distributors/manufacturers (6%) came ahead of supermarkets, locums and hospital on 2%, 2% and 1% respectively.

The function of jobs carried out showed slightly under a half were optometrists, Dispensing Opticians (22%), management (11%), pre-reg/DO (7%) and contact lens fitters at 4%.

It is clear that many respondents were senior practitioners given that only 23% gave optometrist as their job title. Owner/partner came in at 14%, DO and director both at 12%, both manager and locum on 11 % and students and contact lens fitter on 4% and 3% respectively