Online Community Compensation Study Sets the Benchmark for Salaries in the Industry

Forum One Networks conducted the most comprehensive online community compensation and job satisfaction survey to date.

San Francisco, CA – September 8, 2008 – Forum One Networks, a strategy and research group specializing in online communities, conducted the first in-depth study of online community staff compensation to date. The Online Community Compensation Survey reported, on average, that survey participants had a job satisfaction rating of 4.2 out of 5. Of the 225 respondents, 65% were salaried and work 41-50 hours per week. While 78% of those surveyed were 31 years of age or older, individual salaries greatly, with salaries ranging anywhere from $25K annually to $150K annually.

Many respondents stated that their companies don’t have a full appreciation for their job duties and responsibilities and as a result, their salaries are lower than they should be. One survey respondent notes that “companies will pay more for community staff once the value is realized. In order to add to our community team…we are showing the value that the community has to our company as a whole, such as; reducing support calls, up-sells, and generally more satisfied customers. Then it’s easier to justify salaries and increased staff.” The survey includes detailed information on salaries by gender, age and location. Perhaps one of the most interesting findings is that women who participated in the survey are paid 91% of the average men’s salaries.

“This survey helps establish a much-needed benchmark for the emerging online community industry,” says Bill Johnston, chief community office of Forum One Networks. “We see that online community professionals love what they do, but are likely being underpaid because companies are still refining their metrics and ROI for their online communities. As companies develop and grow their online community and social media efforts, their employees are tasked with taking on more responsibility and job duties and, most importantly, directly nurturing customer relationships. Their salaries need to reflect their contribution to the company as a whole.”

The Online Community Compensation Survey was published by Forum One Networks’ Online Community Research Network. The intention of the study was to get a broad look at online community compensation, as well as insight into team structures. For more information about the Online Community Compensation Survey, or for a private briefing of the report, please contact us directly.

About Forum One Networks
Forum One Networks is a division of Forum One Communications, a web strategy and development group based in Alexandria, Virginia, with offices in the California Bay Area. Forum One Networks produces events, conducts research, and provides networking and strategic consulting for online community and social media professionals.

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Heather Virga

Marketing Operations Manager

Forum One Networks

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