Environmental management salaries leap forward

For the first time in five years, environmental salaries have overtaken that of safety professionals, survey results have revealed. The survey includes data from over 60 Australian companies, primarily from the ASX 200, and covers a diverse range of industries including energy, resources, construction, manufacturing, industrial and retail.

The 2011 SafeSearch and EnviroSearchGlobal annual salary survey found an enormous 25% increase across the board for environmental roles.

SafeSearch Managing Director Julie Honore says that in the five years the survey has been operating, this is the first time we have seen environmental professionals earn more than safety professionals.

“This is most unusual and a recognition that these roles are clearly stand-alone positions now,” Honore said.

The survey reflects the significant increase in salaries for heads of environment, leaping from $194K to $289K.

“This brings environmental salaries in Australia in line with worldwide salary rises for this sector, according to a recent global report that showed salaries in Australasia rose by 24%,” said Honore.

Richard Evans, EnviroSearchGlobal Director, believes that because of the recent flood disaster, we will see environmental salary packages continue to rise as resources are drawn into the Queensland region.

“It is expected that the flood recovery will create $10 billion in added revenue for the construction industry alone. With this, there will naturally be a need for environmental expertise, creating a higher demand than we are already seeing. With environmental skills shortages already apparent, it is likely salaries will continue to rise.”

Other key survey highlights:

• For environmental managers, total average remuneration (TAR) has risen 28%, to $144,658; up 9% from pre-GFC levels, depending on industry and location.
• National environment managers’ TAR is up 21% to $192,640.
• Senior roles within a number of sectors, including property and mining, saw individuals being able to command higher salaries with demand for specific skills and experience.
• 82% of the sample had short-term incentive eligibility, and of those, 92% received payment.
• For every position analysed, the mining, construction and resources sectors remunerate well beyond other sectors.
• Environmental professionals continue to be highly educated with a minimum of 85% of the sample qualified to degree level or higher.