FEBRUARY 27, 2019

WAGE & BENEFIT SURVEY FOR THE

GREATER AUGUSTA REGION AND
SURROUNDING AREA
AUGUSTA – HIGHLAND – STAUNTON – WAYNESBORO

4201 DOMINION BOULEVARD, SUITE 114

GLEN ALLEN, VIRGINIA 23060
804-346-8446
MANGUMECONOMICS.COM

© 2019 Mangum Economics

About Mangum Economics, LLC

Mangum Economics, LLC is a Richmond, Virginia based firm that specializes in producing objective
economic, quantitative, and qualitative analysis in support of strategic decision making. Examples of
typical studies include:

POLICY ANALYSIS
Identify the intended and, more importantly, unintended consequences of proposed legislation and
other policy initiatives.

ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESMENTS AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT ANALYSES

Measure the economic contribution that business, education, or other enterprises make to their
localities.

WORKFORCE INFORMATION
Project the demand for, and supply of, qualified workers.

CLUSTER ANALYSIS
Use occupation and industry clusters to illuminate regional workforce and industry strengths and
identify connections between the two.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING
Assess the economic, demographic, and other factors likely to affect your enterprise in the future.

The Project Team

A. Fletcher Mangum, Ph.D.

Founder and CEO

David Zorn, Ph.D.

Economist

Martina Arel, M.B.A.

Researcher and Economic Development Specialist

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey

Table of Contents

Survey Respondents...................................................................................................................................... 1
Location of Operations ............................................................................................................................. 1
Profit or Nonprofit Status ......................................................................................................................... 2
Establishment Size .................................................................................................................................... 3
Industry ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Benefit Survey Results for the Sub-Region ................................................................................................... 4
Leave Benefits ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Pay Benefits............................................................................................................................................... 8
Retirement Benefits ................................................................................................................................ 11
Insurance Benefits .................................................................................................................................. 14
Employee Assistance Benefits ................................................................................................................ 17
Education Benefits .................................................................................................................................. 20

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey

Survey Respondents

This report is a companion to the Regional Benefits & Wages report, both of which describe the results
of the wage and benefit survey conducted by Mangum Economics for the Greater Augusta Regional
Chamber of Commerce. The survey and its methodology are described in the Regional Benefits & Wages
report. The following sections discuss the survey results of all 109 respondents located in the four-
locality sub-region consisting of Augusta and Highland counties, and the cities of Staunton and
Waynesboro. This section provides background information on these organizations, including the
location of their operations, profit or nonprofit status of the organization, and size of the
establishments.

LOCATION OF OPERATIONS

Respondents were asked to provide information on the location of all of their establishments in the
region. Based on their responses, the 109 survey participants have a combined 175 operations in the
four-locality region. Of these operations, most are located in Augusta County, followed by the City of
Staunton, the City of Waynesboro, and Highland County. Four organizations have operations in all four
localities, 21 organizations have establishments in three of the four localities, 12 organizations have
operations in two of the four localities, and 72 organizations have operations in only one of the four
localities.

Figure 1: Locations of Operations

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 1

PROFIT OR NONPROFIT STATUS

Figure 2 shows that a little less than two thirds of the survey respondents are businesses and the
remaining one third are nonprofit organizations.

Figure 2: Business / Nonprofit Status

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 2

ESTABLISHMENT SIZE

Figure 3 details the sizes of the organizations by number of employees in the sub-region. Thirty-six
percent of the respondents operate an organization with fewer than twenty employees. A little over a
quarter of respondents employ between 20-99 employees. Another quarter employ 100-499 individuals,
and about ten percent are organizations with more than 500 employees.

Figure 3: Respondents by Establishment Size

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 3

INDUSTRY

The survey respondents can be grouped into six industry sectors plus an additional “Other Sectors”1
category, which contains all industries with fewer than five respondents to ensure company privacy.

Combined, this “Other Sectors” group of companies makes up the largest percentage of respondents
(about 28 percent). The second largest group of respondents (19 percent) operates in the Finance and
Insurance sector, followed by the Other Services sector (17 percent). The Health Care and Social
Assistance and Manufacturing sectors had about 12 percent and 11 percent of all responses
respectively. The Educational Services respondents make up about 8 percent and Accommodation and
Food Services five percent of respondents.

Figure 4: Respondents by Industry

Benefit Survey Results for the Sub-Region

1
Other Sectors includes the following industries, which had less than five respondents per sector: Administrative & Support &
Waste Management & Remediation Services; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation;
Construction; Information & Media; Mining, Quarrying & Oil & Gas Extraction; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Real
Estate & Rental & Leasing; Retail Trade; Transportation & Warehousing; Utilities; Wholesale Trade; and Not Specified.

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 4

The following sections will discuss the responses of all 109 survey participants in the four localities.

LEAVE BENEFITS

Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations

Figure 5 summarizes the leave benefits that organizations in the region offer to their employees,
distinguishing between businesses and nonprofit organizations. About 81 percent of all organizations
offer paid holiday leave to their employees and 79 percent offer paid vacation leave. A slightly larger
percentage of nonprofit organizations offers paid vacation and holiday leave than do their business
counterparts. Paid sick leave (80 percent versus 54 percent), paid personal leave (48 percent versus 32
percent) and paid dependent care leave (28 percent versus 15 percent) is higher for nonprofit
organizations than for businesses while paid community service leave is less prevalent for nonprofits (15
percent) than for businesses (23 percent). Overall, 13 percent of all organizations (15 percent of
businesses and ten percent of nonprofit organizations) offer no paid leave.

Other Paid Leave

In addition to the leave benefits mentioned above, survey participants were given the option to add
“Other Paid Leave”. Seven percent of all respondents (Nine percent of all businesses and five percent of
all nonprofit organizations) stated that they offer additional paid leave benefits. Their responses
included (some were mentioned multiple times):

- Bereavement Leave
- General/Paid Time Off Leave
- Major Illness/Injury Leave
- Shared Leave
- Civil/Jury Duty Leave
- Volunteer Time
- Education Leave
- Parental/Maternity Leave
- Accrued Personal Leave

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 5

Figure 5: Leave Benefits – All Respondents by Business Type in Sub-Region

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 6

The leave benefits for each industry are included in the table below.

Table 1: Leave Benefits – All Respondents by Industry in Sub-Region

Paid
Paid Paid Paid Paid
Paid Sick Community No Paid
Holiday Vacation Personal Dependent
Leave Service Leave
Leave Leave Leave Care Leave
Leave
Accommodation and Food Services 40.0% 40.0% 20.0% 40.0% 0.0% 0.0% 40.0%
Educational Services 88.9% 88.9% 100.0% 66.7% 33.3% 55.6% 0.0%
Finance and Insurance 76.2% 76.2% 61.9% 38.1% 38.1% 14.3% 14.3%
Health Care and Social Assistance 92.3% 100.0% 84.6% 38.5% 7.7% 7.7% 0.0%
Manufacturing 100.0% 100.0% 66.7% 50.0% 33.3% 33.3% 0.0%
Other Sectors2 73.3% 70.0% 46.7% 26.7% 13.3% 13.3% 20.0%
Other Services 84.2% 73.7% 68.4% 31.6% 10.5% 21.1% 15.8%
All Industries 80.7% 78.9% 63.3% 37.6% 20.2% 19.3% 12.8%

2
Other Sectors includes the following industries, which had less than five respondents per sector: Administrative & Support & Waste Management & Remediation Services;
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Construction; Information & Media; Mining, Quarrying & Oil & Gas Extraction; Professional, Scientific
& Technical Services; Real Estate & Rental & Leasing; Retail Trade; Transportation & Warehousing; Utilities; Wholesale Trade; and Not Specified.

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 7

PAY BENEFITS

Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations

Figure 6 provides an overview of the pay benefits that organizations in the sub-region offer to their
employees. Businesses offer a larger number of pay benefits than nonprofit organizations. Seventy-one
percent of businesses offer overtime pay compared to 53 percent of nonprofit organizations. Similarly,
58 percent of businesses offer performance bonus pay compared to only 33 percent of nonprofits and
26 percent of businesses provide discounts on purchases compared to 15 percent of nonprofits. Overall,
18 percent of all nonprofit organizations do not offer any special pay benefits compared to nine percent
of businesses.

Other Pay Benefits

In addition to the pay benefits detailed in Figure 6, survey participants could provide information on
“Other Special Pay” they offer. Four percent of all respondents (One percent of all businesses and eight
percent of all nonprofit organizations) said that they offer additional pay benefits. Their responses
included (some were mentioned multiple times):

- Merit raises
- Promotion
- One time COLA increase

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 8

Figure 6: Pay Benefits – All Respondents in Sub-Region

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 9

The pay benefits for each industry are included in the table below.

Table 2: Pay Benefits – All Respondents by Industry in Sub-Region

Non-
Performance Company
Discounts No performance
Holiday Overtime Bonus Special Stock or
on Special Bonus
Pay Pay Pay/Financial Shift Pay Stock
Purchases Pay Pay/Financial
Awards Options
Awards
Accommodation and Food
40.0% 20.0% 60.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 20.0% 0.0%
Services
Educational Services 55.6% 66.7% 44.4% 22.2% 11.1% 0.0% 0.0% 11.1%
Finance and Insurance 81.0% 71.4% 52.4% 9.5% 0.0% 19.0% 4.8% 14.3%
Health Care and Social
61.5% 61.5% 30.8% 15.4% 15.4% 0.0% 7.7% 0.0%
Assistance
Manufacturing 75.0% 83.3% 66.7% 66.7% 75.0% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Other Sectors 70.0% 66.7% 50.0% 26.7% 16.7% 16.7% 16.7% 6.7%
Other Services 47.4% 52.6% 42.1% 10.5% 21.1% 0.0% 26.3% 5.3%
All Industries 65.1% 64.2% 48.6% 22.0% 19.3% 11.9% 11.9% 6.4%

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 10

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations

Figure 7 details the retirement benefits provided by the sub-region’s businesses and nonprofit
organizations. Almost one quarter of all respondents do not offer any retirement benefits to their
employees (22 percent of businesses and 28 percent of nonprofit organizations). 401K plans and
employer matching contributions are more prevalent in businesses (74 percent and 57 percent
respectively) than in nonprofit organizations (53 percent and 45 percent). However, pensions are
offered more frequently by nonprofit organizations (25 percent compared to nine percent of
businesses).

Other Retirement Benefits

Respondents were provided the option to provide detail on additional retirement benefits their
organization offers. Nine percent of all respondents (Nine percent of businesses and ten percent of
nonprofit organizations) stated that they offer additional retirement benefits. Their responses included
(some were mentioned multiple times):

- 403 B Employee only- no match

- Profit-sharing
- IRA/SEP
- SIMPLE IRA
- Virginia Retirement System

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 11

Figure 7: Retirement Benefits – All Respondents in Sub-Region

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 12

The retirement benefits for each industry are included in the table below.

Table 3: Retirement Benefits – All Respondents by Industry in Sub-Region

Pension (or Other
401K (or Other Defined Employer Matching No Retirement
Defined Benefit)
Contribution) Plan Contribution (any %) Benefits
Plan
Accommodation and Food
20.0% 20.0% 80.0% 0.0%
Services
Educational Services 88.9% 77.8% 0.0% 44.4%
Finance and Insurance 95.2% 81.0% 4.8% 14.3%
Health Care and Social Assistance 61.5% 53.8% 15.4% 15.4%
Manufacturing 100.0% 83.3% 0.0% 16.7%
Other Sectors 53.3% 36.7% 36.7% 10.0%
Other Services 36.8% 21.1% 42.1% 10.5%
All Industries 66.1% 52.3% 23.9% 14.7%

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 13

INSURANCE BENEFITS

Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations

Figure 8 displays the insurance benefits offered by organizations in the sub-region. Generally, businesses
offer a wider range of insurance benefits than the nonprofit businesses. In fact, almost one third of
nonprofits do not offer any insurance benefits to their employees compared to 15 percent of
businesses. More than half of the nonprofit organizations in the sub-region offer health, dental, and life
insurance; but the percentage of businesses offering these benefits is higher. About the same
percentage of both types of organizations offer flexible spending and savings accounts but health
savings accounts are more prevalent in businesses.

Other Insurance Benefits

Survey participants were given the option to add “Other Insurance Benefits” to their responses. Six
percent of all respondents (nine percent of all business and three percent of all nonprofit organizations)
stated that they offer additional insurance benefits. Their responses included (some were mentioned
multiple times):

- Accident insurance
- Critical Care
- Supplemental Insurance (e.g. AFLAC)
- Healthcare Reimbursement Account
- Identity Theft Insurance

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 14

Figure 8: Insurance Benefits – All Respondents in Sub-Region

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 15

The insurance benefits for each industry are included in the table below.

Table 4: Insurance Benefits – All Respondents by Industry in Sub-Region

Short-
Long-term Health Flexible Flexible
Health Dental Life Vision term No
Disability Savings Savings Spending
Insurance Insurance Insurance Insurance Disability Insurance
Insurance Account Account Account
Insurance
Accommodation
20.0% 20.0% 20.0% 0.0% 20.0% 20.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 80.0%
and Food Services
Educational
100.0% 88.9% 88.9% 66.7% 44.4% 44.4% 55.6% 33.3% 44.4% 0.0%
Services
Finance and
95.2% 85.7% 85.7% 85.7% 71.4% 57.1% 42.9% 19.0% 42.9% 0.0%
Insurance
Health Care and
61.5% 61.5% 38.5% 46.2% 38.5% 30.8% 38.5% 23.1% 30.8% 30.8%
Social Assistance
Manufacturing 91.7% 91.7% 91.7% 91.7% 91.7% 91.7% 83.3% 83.3% 50.0% 0.0%
Other Sectors 73.3% 66.7% 63.3% 60.0% 40.0% 40.0% 30.0% 26.7% 30.0% 23.3%
Other Services 63.2% 52.6% 52.6% 31.6% 31.6% 26.3% 15.8% 21.1% 15.8% 36.8%
All Industries 76.1% 69.7% 66.1% 59.6% 49.5% 45.0% 37.6% 36.7% 25.7% 20.2%

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 16

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE BENEFITS

Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations

Figure 9 summarizes the employee assistance benefits provided by the businesses in the sub-region.
Almost half of all businesses (composed of 58 percent of nonprofit organizations and 44 percent of
businesses) do not offer any employee assistance benefits. The most common benefit offered in about
one third of all organizations is wellness. Gym memberships or facilities, legal assistance and addiction
treatment are benefits much more prevalent in businesses (28 percent, 26 percent and 20 percent
respectively) than in nonprofit organizations (15 percent, 10 percent and 3 percent respectively).
Benefits such as transportation, child care, and adoption assistance are not as common.

Other Employee Assistance Benefits

In addition to the employee assistance benefits listed in Figure 9, survey participants were given the
option to list “Other Employee Assistance Benefits”. Thirteen percent of all respondents (twelve percent
of for businesses and fifteen percent of nonprofit organizations) stated that they offer additional
employee assistance benefits. Their responses included (some were mentioned multiple times):

- Employee Assistance Program

- Credit
- Counseling
- Reimbursement for cell phone if they are ""in the field"" or work evenings/weekends

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 17

Figure 9: Employee Assistance Benefits – All Respondents in Sub-Region

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 18

The employee assistance benefits for each industry are included in the table below.

Table 5: Employee Assistance Benefits – All Respondents by Industry in Sub-Region

No Employee Gym
Addiction Transpor-
Assistance Wellness Membership Legal Child Care Adoption
Treatment tation
Benefits or Facilities
Accommodation and Food
100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Services
Educational Services 33.3% 66.7% 11.1% 22.2% 22.2% 11.1% 11.1% 11.1%
Finance and Insurance 28.6% 57.1% 23.8% 23.8% 28.6% 0.0% 4.8% 0.0%
Health Care and Social
76.9% 15.4% 0.0% 7.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Assistance
Manufacturing 0.0% 66.7% 75.0% 66.7% 50.0% 16.7% 16.7% 25.0%
Other Sectors 60.0% 16.7% 23.3% 13.3% 3.3% 6.7% 3.3% 0.0%
Other Services 57.9% 26.3% 15.8% 10.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 5.3%
All Industries 48.6% 34.9% 22.9% 20.2% 13.8% 4.6% 4.6% 4.6%

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 19

EDUCATION BENEFITS

Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations

Figure 10 displays the types of education benefits provided by the organizations located in the sub-
region. About 43 percent of all organizations do not offer any kind of education benefits. The percentage
of nonprofit organizations that do not offer any education benefits is somewhat higher than businesses.
Of the benefits offered, tuition assistance for degree programs is the most commonly named benefit (42
percent of businesses and 30 percent of nonprofit organizations), followed by tuition assistance for
occupational certifications (20 percent of businesses and 23 percent of nonprofit organizations), and
tuition assistance for non-degree programs (19 percent of businesses and 20 percent of nonprofit
organizations).

Other Education Benefits

Eleven percent of survey respondents provided information on “Other Education Benefits” provided (ten
percent of all business and thirteen percent of all nonprofit organizations). Their responses included
(some were mentioned multiple times):

- Education time off

- Certain percent refund of tuition per year for certain courses under certain conditions
- Tuition reimbursement
- Tuition Remission and Exchange Program
- Company pays for school if it directly benefits the company
- All continuing education training for those who hold licenses and certifications
- Professional conferences
- Business education for certain companies
- Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- Professional Development/Training
- Continuing Education allowance
- Company pays for food/bar service related certifications for independent contractor employees
- Product Training

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 20

Figure 10: Education Benefits – All Respondents in Sub-Region

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 21

The education benefits for each industry are included in the table below.

Table 6: Education Benefits – All Respondents by Industry in Sub-Region

Full or Partial Full or Partial Full or Partial

No Education Tuition for Tuition for Tuition for Student Loan
Benefit Degree Occupational Non-Degree Assistance
Programs Certification Programs
Accommodation and Food Services 60.0% 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Educational Services 0.0% 88.9% 44.4% 66.7% 22.2%
Finance and Insurance 42.9% 42.9% 4.8% 4.8% 0.0%
Health Care and Social Assistance 61.5% 7.7% 15.4% 7.7% 0.0%
Manufacturing 0.0% 100.0% 50.0% 58.3% 0.0%
Other Sectors 50.0% 23.3% 20.0% 13.3% 0.0%
Other Services 63.2% 21.1% 15.8% 10.5% 0.0%
All Industries 43.1% 37.6% 21.1% 19.3% 1.8%

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 22

Greater Augusta Region Wage & Benefit Survey 23