Earning a certified meeting professional (CMP) designation puts more money in your pocket, according to PCMA Convene magazine’s Annual Salary Survey report.
The average salary for meeting professionals who earned their CMP designation is $14,308 more than for those without the designation.
“There can be no greater proof that the CMP designation carries weight in this industry,” said Michelle Russell, Convene Editor in Chief. “It’s one of the reasons why we publish the CMP Series in Convene each month, to help readers earn credit hours toward earning or re-qualifying for the CMP certification.”
PCMA Convene magazine in June published the results of its annual salary survey, which meeting professionals have referred to each year to benchmark their own earnings. The results of this year’s survey, completed by 328 association, corporate and independent meeting professionals in March, reveal they earn nearly 10 percent more than last year.
The average salary for all respondents in 2013 is $77,711, up from an average 2012 salary of $71,038 reported in last year’s salary survey. More than three-quarters of respondents have earned the CMP designation and bring home an average salary of $84,865 compared to $70,557 for those without the designation.
Nearly half of respondents say they are satisfied with their current salary – and 86 percent expressed satisfaction with the meetings profession as a whole. Survey participants also weighed in on what they like best and least about their jobs.
“This year’s results indicate that the profession continues to gain ground and not only in terms of compensation,” said Russell. “Participants’ comments reveal a sense of accomplishment in that they play a key role in their organizations’ overall success.”
PCMA is a professional resource and educator for leaders in the meetings, conventions, events and tradeshow industries. Headquartered in Chicago, PCMA has 17 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico with members in more than 35 countries.
