Kansas, United States: Golf courses around the United States continue to recognise that an investment in golf course superintendents is an investment in the facility, as the average salary for head superintendents climbed to US$85,204 annually.
The average salary and additional data come from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s [GCSAA] latest biennial Compensation and Benefits Report.
The 2015 report showed that the US$85,204 average salary was an increase of 3.2 per cent over the 2013 report, and continues the trend of increases in every two-year period since GCSAA began tracking the data in 1993.
For certified golf course superintendents, those who have achieved the highest level of recognition through education, experience and service, the increase was even higher. Their average salary rose 5.9 per cent in the last two years to US$103,993.
Additional insights from the report showed that superintendents also report feeling slightly more secure in their jobs: 66 per cent compared to 62.7 per cent in 2013.
The average number of years superintendents have spent in their current position rose from 9.7 to 10.4.
The report also gives a good picture of the profile of GCSAA superintendents and their operations.
The average age of a superintendent is 46.2 years and they have spent 15.9 years in the profession.
Between December 2014 and January 2015 association research firm Industry Insights sent the 2015 survey to all GCSAA Class A and Superintendent Members. The response rate was 41.8 per cent with a margin of error of +/-1.3 per cent and a 95 per cent level of confidence.
More information about the 2015 Compensation and Benefits Report is available at www.gcsaa.org