Atlanta salaried workers see pay rise 2.6 percent in 2012

Pay for salaried workers in Atlanta has increased 2.6 percent in 2012, according to a new survey, and a bigger boost in compensation is expected in 2013.

Salaried employees here can expect an average bump in pay of 3.0 percent next year, which tracks the national average, according to the Salary Increase Survey by Aon Hewitt, a global human resources solutions business.

The survey determined that companies plan to raise salaries incrementally. Despite the projected increases next  year, it is unlikely, the survey said, that salaries will reach pre-recession level salary hikes which hit 4 percent and higher.

“It is unlikely that salary increases will reach pre-recession levels of 4.0 percent or higher any time soon,” said Ken Abosch, compensation marketing, strategy and development leader at Aon Hewitt.

“Companies are more impacted by the global economy than ever before. As a result, organizations continue to be conservative with their spending, but we anticipate that attitude will remain even after the economy rights itself _ holding down spending on base pay is the new normal.”

According to the report, “Employers continue to offer variable pay, or performance-based awards that must be re-earned each year, as a primary way to drive performance and increase engagement while minimizing their fixed costs. In 2012, 90 percent of companies offered at least one variable pay program, in line with 2011.”

Nationwide, Aon Hewitt surveyed more than 1,300 companies. It found base pay increases are up 2.8 percent this year, a slight gain over last year when pay was up 2.7 percent. Salary gains have been rising since 2009 when pay increased only 1.8 percent, an all-time low.

Executive salaries have risen the most this year, up 2.9 percent in the U.S. Salaried exempt employees have seen a 2.8 percent increase and  salaried non-exempt employees 2.7 percent. Non-union hourly employees have seen a 2.7 percent increase, while union employees have had a 2.5 percent gain.

Non-union hourly employees have had the biggest increase in variable pay this year.