SURVEY SAYS: CAD Salaries Increased in '99 - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

CAD salaries were up 13 percent in 1999 over those of 1998, according to the results of FabriCAD's 1999 CAD Salary and Job Satisfaction Survey. The results reflect the largest salary increase recorded by the annual survey since it was first conducted in 1993.

FabriCAD, a publisher of information regarding the use of CAD in the apparel, home fashions and other textile markets, surveyed nearly 100 designers, stylists, managers and IT professionals by mail and via the Internet for the 1999 survey.

Commenting on the results, Alison Grudier, owner of FabriCAD, noted: "AS more companies add computers to their design studios, the need for talented, computer-savvy designers has increased. The good people who have both art and technical skills are able to command higher salaries than in the past."

The study found that annual CAD salaries across all sewn products categories rose from an average of $44,385 in 1998 to $50,290 in 1999. Specifically, salaries for designers (who made up 42 percent of the survey population) rose 12 percent from $39,030 in '98 to $43,575 in '99, while salaries for managers rose 10 percent to an average of $56,019. Senior designers/stylists saw marginal increases of 3 percent to $60,428 in '99. However, this category of CAD professionals experienced a big jump in 1998, going from an average salary of $46,000 in '97 to $58,811 in '98.

In addition to salary rankings, the survey polled respondents on job satisfaction. "Challenge of the work" topped the list as the factor most contributing to job satisfaction, while "flexibility of schedule/work from home" was the second most-cited factor.

                  Average Annual CAD Salaries by Job Title
Job Title                    # Respondents    % of        1999   1998
                                           Respondents
Assistant                          6           5.5      $29,900 $28,962
Designer/Stylist                  39          41.9      $43,575 $39,030
Manager/Supervisor                22          23.7      $56,019 $50,917
Sr. Designer/Mgr./Supervisor      20          21.5      $60,428 $58,811
Director Level                     5           5.4      $66,200 $83,389
Vice President Level               1           1.1     $230,000 $81,500
Job Title                     1997    1996    1995
Assistant                    $25,157 $28,000 $26,900
Designer/Stylist             $36,087 $35,920 $36,792
Manager/Supervisor           $55,303 $45,966 $43,724
Sr. Designer/Mgr./Supervisor $46,000 $53,550 $53,985
Director Level               $76,750 $38,096 $59,016
Vice President Level         NA      NA      NA
NA = Not available.
Source: FabriCAD 1999 CAD Salary and Job Satisfaction Survey.

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