by Ann Withanee — October 27, 2010—A new report published by the GreenBiz Group takes what is said to be a first-ever close look at how sustainability professions spend their time.
Based on responses from more than 500 sustainability professionals in the GreenBiz Intelligence Panel, the first GreenBiz Salary Survey shows sustainability executives, for the most part, are well paid, enjoy high job satisfaction and have an optimistic outlook.
“Ten years ago, the formal role of the sustainability professional didn’t exist,” said John Davies, GreenBiz Group vice president and senior analyst. “Today, environmental and corporate responsibility executives are taking on a more significant role in the corporate landscape—helping to do more good within their companies while also making a positive impact on their companies’ bottom lines. The results of the Salary Report demonstrate the growing interest in sustainability-focused positions, as well as the significant job opportunities that exist within this segment.”
Also in the report, large companies reported a growing workforce for environmental and sustainability roles. In early 2009, 27 percent of large companies reported hiring freezes and only 8 percent planned to increase headcount for environmental departments. Now, however, 11 percent report hiring freezes and over 28 percent plan to increase headcount, a major swing.
Job satisfaction is high for those working in sustainability, and optimism that sustainability will be valued by their employers throughout the next five years is felt by more than 80 percent of survey respondents.
Sustainability executives are compensated at salaries comparable to those of their peers, at least in companies with revenues greater than $1 billion. Vice presidents of sustainability earn an average of $192,064, whereas directors of sustainability earn an average of $160,320 and sustainability managers earn an average of $103,197.
Sustainability executives also tend to be well educated, as 65 percent of vice presidents, 57 percent of directors, and 58 percent of managers have master’s degrees. Managers with master’s degrees earned almost 20 percent more than those with bachelor’s degrees.
The full GreenBiz Salary Report is available for purchase from GreenBiz.
