Annual poll takes industry’s pulse

by jason_cramp | April 1, 2015 3:59 pm

By Jason Cramp

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Pool & Spa Marketing recently conducted its sixth annual salary survey of the Canadian aquatics industry and according to your input, provided anonymously, the majority of respondents are working between 35 and 50 hours per week, which is 10 per cent lower than in 2013 and may be attributed to the slow season.

Further, the $30,000 to $49,000 income bracket continued to stall as it did in 2013, while those earning between $50,000 and $59,000 (up nine per cent last year) fell this year by 12.5 per cent. In contrast, those earning $60,000 plus increased by 19 per cent after decreasing among participants in the last two surveys.

Ever since our first survey in 2009, Ontario continues to lead the pack in terms of respondents; however, more participation is trending from other regions such as British Columbia, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. In fact, responses from those based in the Territories increased this year by almost four per cent. Smaller companies are still the principal contributors to the survey, with more than 50 per cent employing one to 10 people.

Another noticeable development is the maturing of the industry as 90 per cent of participants were aged 40 and up. This is also reflected in the experience of respondents as almost 30 per cent have been in the business for more than 30 years, 14 per cent more than last year. Further, many have been with their current company between 15 and 19 years (seven per cent more than last year), while almost six per cent more have spent their entire career with the same company.

The following are the collected results, based on the responses we received to the survey’s multiple-choice format.

How many hours do you work in a week?

 

Compared to five years ago, how would you describe yourself now?

 

What is your gender?

 

How many employees are there?

 

What is the approximate annual revenue of the business?

 

How many years have you been with your current company?

How many years have you been in the pool/hot tub business?

 

What was your salary last year?

 

 

What benefits does your company provide?
Paid vacations	62%
Paid sick leave	46%
Dental insurance or group plan	45%
Eye insurance	29%
Medical insurance	55%
Life insurance	38%
Long-term disability insurance	25%
Short-term disability insurance	21%
Mileage reimbursement	33%
Paid personal time	19%
Education/professional development funding	35%
Parking	11%
Bonuses	40%
Professional membership	26%
Defined benefit (pension) retirement plan	17%
Parental leave	10%
Mobile phone	52%
Profit-sharing	8%
Company car/truck allowance	40%
Multiple category selction allowed.

What is your level of education?

 

What is your age?

 

 

Which of the following titles best describes your position?

 

What is the greatest frustration with your job?
“It is difficult to keep key staff year-round due to the ebb and flow of seasonal work.”
“We compete against big-box stores and online merchants that do not offer product service. We lose the profit on the product, but are expected to install and service it.”
“It is hard to find employees with the same level of motivation for details to provide the best possible service to our clients.”
“We try our best and sometimes our client’s expectations are unreasonable.”
“Ensuring all details regarding construction is met. Minor details usually get missed or are not quoted up front.”
“Finding good employees that want to be accountable for what they do. It seems they are just here for the paycheque.”
“Working with customers whose expectations are unreal at times.”

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/annual-poll-takes-industrys-pulse/

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