Page 13 - Summer 2014

HUMAN RESOURCES Wage & Salary Survey Reflects Major Jump in Participation BY DAVE BYRD, DIRECTOR OF RISK & REGULATORY AFFAIRS SAA’s 2014 National Wage & Salary Survey is fresh off the presses, with valuable, comprehensive, industry wage data. This year, the Wage Survey set yet another record for participation, adding to Nthe value of this resource for ski areas in comparing wage rates and staying competitive in tight labor markets, especially in more rural areas where resorts are located. This year, 139 ski areas participated in the THE WAGE & SALARY SURVEY COVERS survey, an all-time record, and a 12 per- cent jump from 2013 participation rates. 228 DIFFERENT JOB CATEGORIES. Furthermore, 25 different states were rep- resented in the 2014 survey, covering nearly 95,000 workers at participating finance organizations. The positions are detailed analysis by state or region. resorts. The 139 ski areas that participated broken down by job codes. The job code To order the Survey, visit the NSAA this year represented more than 36 mil- with the highest number of resorts report- online store or contact Emily Griffith at lion skier visits—out of 56.2 million over ing (120) was, not surprisingly, Ski School NSAA at egriffith@nsaa.org, or (303) the 2013-2014 season—which amounts – Level 2 Ski or Snowboard instructor. 987-1111. N to two-thirds of all skier visits from this Interestingly, 93 percent of the positions past season. Nationally, 37 resorts from reported on were based on hourly wages, the Northeast participated, 44 from the and 7 percent were salaried positions. Rocky Mountains, 29 from the Pacific For purposes of international immigra- West, 16 from the Midwest, and 13 from tion visa positions, the Survey breaks down the Southeast, representing a very broad, 14 positions specific to the ski industry to comprehensive scope of information. directly address prevailing wage rates for Integrated POS & Ticketing The Wage & Salary Survey covers 228 the federal Department of Labor. As many Customer & Campaign Management different job categories, including tradi- resorts use H-2b visas, the DOL has been Advance Sales & eCommerce tional ski resort positions of lift attendants, distrustful and skeptical of industry-gen- snowmakers, groomers, ski instructors, paid erated wage surveys, but given the overall Access Control patrollers, ticket sales, lift maintenance, and comprehensiveness of this year’s Survey, this marketing. In addition, this year NSAA summer NSAA will be pushing the DOL Connect with added two additional positions to reflect even harder to accept these prevailing wage your Business the dramatic increase in use of digital and rates for H-2b visa categories. social media for marketing departments There is real value for those resorts Connect with in the ski industry: Social/Digital Media participating in the survey. For those that your Guests Manager and Social Media Coordinator. participated, the cost to order the Survey is The survey even includes some less tra- merely $55; for non-participants, the cost Connect with ditional ski resort positions such as life is $250—still a good value for the depth your Future guards, day care workers, webmasters, bar- and breadth of information provided. tenders, sous chefs, shuttle bus drivers, spa NSAA works with Sierra Research Please contact Intouch for an attendants, and security personnel. Associates, a travel research company initial consultation on a total The 230-page report can be ordered based near Lake Tahoe, to compile and resort solution. (970) 376 5272 both as a printed copy and in an electronic analyze the statistical data. Resorts may www.connectintouch.com... spreadsheet to allow for easier format- also work directly with Sierra Research 1 888 4 INTOUCH... ting and analysis for human resources and Associates to customize the data in a SUMMER 2014 | NSAA Journal | 11 w w w.nsaa. org NSAA Summer 2014 prepressed v6a.indd 11 7/3/14 4:19 PM