Salaries in the communications industry are steadily on the rise, and not for the reasons one might think. Because the war for talent is in full swing, qualified industry professionals have more bargaining power. The typical 3-4% increases to make a move, that previously did the trick, are no longer cutting it with the top-tier of in-demand candidates. For instance, an industry professional with 3 years experience in media could feasibly garner a 10% or more increase to make a move to another agency or company in the same city - to relocate, more like 15-20% with a sizable relocation package. Only a few years ago, this was unheard of. Why? Because agencies didn’t have to pay candidates this much because the tide was turned - there were more candidates than there were jobs. Now that the job market has picked up considerably, across the country, the quality industry talent knows their value and they won’t accept anything less.

On the flip side, in an effort to keep the good talent at home, agencies and companies are attempting pre-emptive strikes with their current employees - offering raises, bonuses, extra benefits - and this in turn is throwing off the internal balance of compensation structures. However, the typical raise amounts employees are seeing usually can’t compare with the tempting offers that are being extended for larger compensation hikes. In conjunction with higher salary demands from in-coming new employees, and these pre-emptive strikes, agencies could see an overall industry-wide increase in the compensation structures at all levels, affecting not only new hires but company veterans alike.