While average agency salaries rose a modest 4% to 6% last year, healthcare agency compensation shot up 10%, according to research conducted by Marshall Consultants, an executive recruiter firm with offices in New York and Malibu, Calif. The demand for experienced healthcare communicators who can translate technical scientific concepts for multiple audiences continues to outstrip supply, particularly in the medical devices, pharmaceutical and life sciences arenas, says Kathleen DesRosiers, general manager for Marshall Consultants' West Coast office.
The salary gap between healthcare and other industries underscores this demand. Consider these comparisons:
- The president of a healthcare agency earns $265,000, 14% more than the president of an agency that focuses on financial services.
- An SVP in healthcare corporate communications at a large company earns $302,000, a 21% hike over an SVP in consumer products.
Additional healthcare agency compensation information is featured on p.12 of this issue.
(Marshall Consultants, 212/628-8400, www.marshallconsultants.com)