First Annual Rachel Speaks Salary Survey

We've come to the end of the year, when salary questions seem to be on everyone's mind more than ever as we search for the perfect balance between Christmas buying and budgeting.

Media Life career columnist Rachel receives more salary queries than anything else in her mailbox. She'll be addressing many salary-related questions in the new year. She'd also like to get some (anonymous) feedback from readers about their salaries and how they feel about them.

Results are completely anonymous and will not be used for anything other than background/fodder for future columns. Take a few moments between egg nog helpings to tell us about your job.

1. What describes you best?

	I make $30,000 or under	I make $30,000 to $42,000	I make $42,000 to $55,000	I make $55,000 to $75,000	I make $75,000 to $100,000	I make more than $100,000
Media buyer	What describes you best? Media buyer I make $30,000 or under	I make $30,000 to $42,000	I make $42,000 to $55,000	I make $55,000 to $75,000	I make $75,000 to $100,000	I make more than $100,000
Media planner	Media planner I make $30,000 or under	I make $30,000 to $42,000	I make $42,000 to $55,000	I make $55,000 to $75,000	I make $75,000 to $100,000	I make more than $100,000
Supervisor	Supervisor I make $30,000 or under	I make $30,000 to $42,000	I make $42,000 to $55,000	I make $55,000 to $75,000	I make $75,000 to $100,000	I make more than $100,000
Sales rep	Sales rep I make $30,000 or under	I make $30,000 to $42,000	I make $42,000 to $55,000	I make $55,000 to $75,000	I make $75,000 to $100,000	I make more than $100,000
Other	Other I make $30,000 or under	I make $30,000 to $42,000	I make $42,000 to $55,000	I make $55,000 to $75,000	I make $75,000 to $100,000	I make more than $100,000

2. What describes you best?

	I live in the Northeast	I live in the Southeast	I live in the Mid-Atlantic	I live in the Southwest	I live in the Midwest	I live on the West Coast
Media buyer	What describes you best? Media buyer I live in the Northeast	I live in the Southeast	I live in the Mid-Atlantic	I live in the Southwest	I live in the Midwest	I live on the West Coast
Media planner	Media planner I live in the Northeast	I live in the Southeast	I live in the Mid-Atlantic	I live in the Southwest	I live in the Midwest	I live on the West Coast
Supervisor	Supervisor I live in the Northeast	I live in the Southeast	I live in the Mid-Atlantic	I live in the Southwest	I live in the Midwest	I live on the West Coast
Sales rep	Sales rep I live in the Northeast	I live in the Southeast	I live in the Mid-Atlantic	I live in the Southwest	I live in the Midwest	I live on the West Coast
Other	Other I live in the Northeast	I live in the Southeast	I live in the Mid-Atlantic	I live in the Southwest	I live in the Midwest	I live on the West Coast

3. Which describes you best when compared with your colleagues?

	I am very underpaid	I am slightly underpaid	I am happy with my salary	I am slightly overpaid	I am very overpaid
Media buyer	Which describes you best when compared with your colleagues? Media buyer I am very underpaid	I am slightly underpaid	I am happy with my salary	I am slightly overpaid	I am very overpaid
Media player	Media player I am very underpaid	I am slightly underpaid	I am happy with my salary	I am slightly overpaid	I am very overpaid
Supervisor	Supervisor I am very underpaid	I am slightly underpaid	I am happy with my salary	I am slightly overpaid	I am very overpaid
Sales rep	Sales rep I am very underpaid	I am slightly underpaid	I am happy with my salary	I am slightly overpaid	I am very overpaid
Other	Other I am very underpaid	I am slightly underpaid	I am happy with my salary	I am slightly overpaid	I am very overpaid

4. Why?

Why?

5. What is your most pressing salary concern?

What is your most pressing salary concern? I am overworked and underpaid.

I am satisfied with my salary but worry that it may be less than market value when compared with others of my experience level.

I am happy with my salary but worried about securing future raises.

I am unhappy with my salary but nonetheless worried that I wouldn't do better elsewhere in the media business.

I am very happy with my salary. I'm more concerned about layoffs.

6. Would you ever leave a job you loved for a job you hated if the latter offered a huge salary bump?

Would you ever leave a job you loved for a job you hated if the latter offered a huge salary bump? No. I value my happiness more than my money.

Yes. Let's face it, media is not a lucrative industry, and I have a family to think about.

7. What salary do you think is appropriate for ...

	$30,000 or under	$30,000 to $42,000	$42,000 to $55,000	$55,000 to $75,000	$75,000 to $100,000	More than $100,000
Media buyer	What salary do you think is appropriate for ... Media buyer $30,000 or under	$30,000 to $42,000	$42,000 to $55,000	$55,000 to $75,000	$75,000 to $100,000	More than $100,000
Media player	Media player $30,000 or under	$30,000 to $42,000	$42,000 to $55,000	$55,000 to $75,000	$75,000 to $100,000	More than $100,000
Supervisor	Supervisor $30,000 or under	$30,000 to $42,000	$42,000 to $55,000	$55,000 to $75,000	$75,000 to $100,000	More than $100,000
Sales rep	Sales rep $30,000 or under	$30,000 to $42,000	$42,000 to $55,000	$55,000 to $75,000	$75,000 to $100,000	More than $100,000

8. What is the most important factor for you in finding a new job?

What is the most important factor for you in finding a new job? Salary

Benefits/vacation

Prestige of agency/job

Enjoyment of job

Atmosphere (co-workers, boss, etc.)

Other (please specify)

9. What salary-related questions would you like to see addressed in future Ask Rachel columns?

What salary-related questions would you like to see addressed in future Ask Rachel columns?

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