2019 SPE Membership Salary Survey · 2019-11-07 · Membership Salary Survey. The survey asks about...

Highlight Report — November 2019SPE Research | [email protected]

2019 SPE Membership Salary Survey

2019 SPE Membership Salary Survey 1 Copyright © 2019 | Society of Petroleum Engineers | 222 Palisades Creek Drive, Richardson, Texas 75080 USA | 1.800.456.6863 | www.spe.org

2019 SPE Membership Salary Survey Highlight Report On 10 July 2019, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) sent invitations to 84,541 professional members to participate online in the annual SPE Membership Salary Survey. The survey asks about members’ compensation for the period of 30 June 2018 to 30 June 2019. By the close of the survey on 9 August 2019, 4,037 members responded for a 4.8% response rate, of which 2,796 provided valid compensation data, resulting in a reported final 3.3% response rate. This sample of responses produces a margin of error of ± 1.82% at a 95% confidence level. Salary information and other data in the report are entirely self-reported. Participants in the 2019 SPE Membership Salary Survey represented 87 countries and 38 states in the United States. More than four-fifths (81.9%) are citizens of the countries in which they work. Their employers’ headquarters are based in 78 countries. As in previous years, about half (48.8%) of the reported respondents are based in countries outside of the United States. The percentage of female participants included in the report is similar to previous years at 13.4% (13.4% in 2018; 13.7% in 2017; 13.7% in 2016). Respondents were asked to provide their employment status, using the status that described them for the majority of 30 June 2018 to 30 June 2019. The majority (91.8%) of respondents indicated they are full-time, regular payroll employees. A small percentage of respondents (5.3%) are contract, freelance, or part-time employees. The contract, freelance, or part-time segment has more than doubled in the last five years (5.0% in 2018; 4.2% in 2017; 3.2% in 2016; 2.4% in 2015; 2.2% in 2014). This year, 2.3% identified as self-employed or business. The composition of respondents by job function remains consistent year over year. One-fifth (20.9%) of participants in this year’s survey are primarily engaged in Reservoir Engineering (21.9% in 2018; 21.4% in 2017; 19.5% in 2016). 15.1% reported a focus on Engineering – Other or Combination (14.2% in 2018; 14.7% in 2017; 14.2% in 2016), and 11.2% are involved in Production Engineering (12.1% in 2018; 10.7% in 2017; 11.4% in 2016). Two new job function categories related to Digital Technology were added in 2019: Digital Technology (Hardware) - Automation, Robotics, IIoT, Edge, AR/VR; Digital Technology (Software) - Data Science, Data Analytics, Digital Engineering. Only a few (0.1%) respondents are involved in Digital Technology (Hardware), two percent of respondents (2.2%) are involved in Digital Technology (Software). More than one-third (34.1%) of respondents work for an Independent Oil and Gas Company. Nearly one quarter (24.1%) are employed by a Service or Manufacturing Company. One-fifth (20.1%) are employed by an Integrated Oil and Gas Company (up from 18.4% in 2018), and less than one-tenth (6.4%) work for a National Oil and Gas Company. This year, 7.2% of members reported working for a consulting company.

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General Findings All compensation data presented in this Highlight Report is in US dollars (USD). Data was collected in local currencies and was converted to US Dollars (USD) using the exchange rate as of 8 August 2019, which is the effective date of this year’s data. For Figures 1-5, any table figures in bold text have 30 or more respondents and the data is more likely to be statistically significant. Petroleum industry professionals reported an average total compensation of USD 197,619 in 2019. The past three years have seen gradual increases in total compensation (USD 196,874 in 2018; USD 194,649 in 2017; USD 185,001 in 2016), but have yet to attain compensation levels seen prior to 2016 (USD 206,020 in 2015; USD 214,328 in 2014). The mean base pay reported in 2019 (USD 147,027) is lower than 2018 (USD 151,003) but similar to previously reported base pays (USD 151,122 in 2017; USD 143,006 in 2016; USD 153,492 in 2015). Other compensation (including bonuses) increased (USD 50,011) again in 2019, showing a four-year trend of increases in other compensation (USD 45,872 in 2018; USD 43,712 in 2017; USD 41,995 in 2016), although not yet not meeting other compensation seen prior to 2016 (USD 52,931 in 2015 and USD 57,889 in 2014). In 2019, professionals receiving a car allowance stayed consistent with previous years at nearly one quarter, 23.5% (22.9% in 2018; 23.2% in 2017; 24.6% in 2016; 26.3% in 2015). The average age of professionals in the survey was 43 years old, which remained the same as the prior eight years. However, this demographic varied by gender. Males’ age was above the average at 44, and females’ age was below the average at 38. The amount of experience professionals have in the oil and gas industry has remained consistent with recent years, with the average at 19 years. Experience varied by gender with male professionals having more experience than females. The average years of experience in 2019 is 19.3 years for males and 13.4 years for females. The number of professionals who reported an education level higher than a bachelor’s degree was 46.9%, continuing a steady upward trend seen since 2016 (45.5% in 2018; 44.2% in 2017; 43.8% in 2016).

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Figure 1

Summary of Results by Work Region (All compensation data is expressed in US Dollars)

Total

(n=2,796)

United States

(n=1,342)

Africa (n=120)

Oceania, Australia, and New Zealand (n=108)

Canada (n=200)

Middle East

(n=146)

North Sea and North

Atlantic (n=335)

Northern and

Central Asia (n=84)

South America,

Caribbean, and

Mexico (n=158)

South, Central,

and Eastern Europe (n=117)

Southeast Asia

(n=186)

Base Pay

Mean $147,027 $182,455 $117,603 $155,263 $114,545 $131,784 $136,127 $70,845 $84,094 $100,197 $89,459

Median $130,000 $165,000 $62,746 $146,349 $98,228 $113,327 $115,023 $38,162 $59,688 $65,625 $55,609

Other Compensation

Mean $50,811 $75,789 $43,037 $29,230 $26,676 $35,085 $25,540 $13,663 $18,055 $32,606 $27,205

Median $20,000 $35,000 $8,270 $13,614 $13,261 $15,302 $13,958 $2,152 $2,604 $10,000 $6,514

Total Compensation

Mean $197,619 $258,074 $160,281 $184,493 $140,954 $166,869 $161,667 $84,182 $102,034 $132,246 $116,518

Median $156,822 $205,750 $80,842 $163,768 $122,596 $144,500 $133,361 $41,654 $69,967 $71,080 $66,520

Average Base Pay % Increase 19.8% 29.1% 11.6% 6.5% 5.1% 18.0% 5.7% 10.5% 32.3% 8.3% 6.4%

% With Car Allowance 23.7% 18.1% 48.7% 14.8% 10.1% 51.0% 33.1% 17.3% 21.9% 23.5% 34.2%

Average Age 43 44 42 45 41 42 44 40 41 43 39

Average Years of Experience in Oil and Gas

18.5 20 15.3 20.2 16.9 17.2 18.9 15.3 16.3 16.8 15.3

% With Education Beyond Bachelor's Degree

46.9% 36.2% 58.6% 42.5% 25.3% 53.8% 75.7% 76.5% 63.2% 78.3% 38.6%

% Citizens of Work Region 81.8% 91.0% 73.3% 80.6% 95.5% 24.7% 70.4% 78.6% 86.7% 72.6% 75.8%

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Figure 2

Base Pay and Other Compensation by Work Region

$1

47

,02

7

$1

82

,45

5

$1

17

,60

3

$1

55

,26

3

$1

14

,54

5

$1

31

,78

4

$1

36

,12

7

$7

0,8

45

$8

4,0

94

$1

00

,19

7

$8

9,4

59

$50,811

$75,789

$43,037

$29,230

$26,676$35,085 $25,540

$13,663$18,055

$32,606$27,205

$0

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

$300,000

Total UnitedStates

Africa Oceania,Australia,and NewZealand

Canada MiddleEast

North Seaand North

Atlantic

Northernand

CentralAsia

SouthAmerica,

Caribbean,and

Mexico

South,Central,

andEasternEurope

SoutheastAsia

Base Pay and Other Compensation by Work Region (USD)

Average Base (USD) Average Other Compensation (USD)

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Figure 3

Job Categories and Total Compensation Executive/Top Management compensation has been consistently increasing over the last three years, up 27.7% since 2016. In the United States, Executive/Top Management reported average total compensation of USD 533,825 in 2019, an increase of 27.2% since 2018 (USD 419,830 in 2018). Since 2016, Professional/Individual Contributor compensation has risen slightly (5.8%), and to a small degree (2.0%), Manager/Director compensation increased. In contrast, Technician/Specialty/Support Staff compensation declined four percent since 2016. Since last year, there was a considerable decrease (-17.5%) in the United States in Technician/Specialty/Support Staff compensation (USD 131,998 in 2019 compared to USD 160,000 in 2018). Supervisor/Superintendent/Lead compensation has marginally decreased by 2.2% since 2016.

Total Compensation by Job Category and Work Region

United States

(n=1,342)

Africa (n=120)


Canada (n=200)

Middle East

(n=146)

North Sea and North

Atlantic (n=335)

Northern and

Central Asia

(n=84)

South America,

Caribbean, and Mexico

(n=158)

South, Central,


Southeast Asia

(n=186)

Global Mean

Percent Change

from 2016 to

2019

Executive/Top Management $533,825 $347,631 $254,902 $196,461 $246,253 $232,865 $141,101 $327,822 $687,946 $135,710 $426,509 27.7%

Manager/Director $290,779 $250,778 $226,117 $198,805 $222,633 $189,284 $218,805 $131,058 $207,635 $216,984 $245,426 2.0%

Supervisor/Superintendent/Lead $237,746 $176,438 $181,749 $141,354 $144,987 $170,473 $78,462 $89,170 $129,104 $107,954 $174,077 -2.2%

Professional/Individual Contributor

$203,478 $85,388 $167,777 $118,348 $149,568 $138,179 $61,157 $67,324 $97,629 $88,497 $160,339 5.8%

Technician/Specialist/Support Staff

$131,998 $58,393 $123,669 $151,271 $170,419 $107,855 $30,285 $39,024 $57,891 $33,377 $99,373 -4.0%

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Figure 4

Job Function and Work Region

Base Pay by Job Function and Work Region United States

(n=1,342)

Africa (n=120)


Canada (n=200)

Middle East

(n=146)

North Sea and North

Atlantic (n=335)

Northern and

Central Asia

(n=84)

South America,

Caribbean, and

Mexico (n=158)

South, Central,


Southeast Asia

(n=186)

Global Mean

College/University/Academic $130,666 $23,958 $71,026 $27,781 $74,684 $25,259 $35,387 $28,432 $16,771 $71,151

Computer or Information Technology $177,909 $176,987 $108,911 $51,790 $63,916 $53,361 $42,973 $124,257

Earth Science/Geology $188,847 $118,536 $179,587 $150,176 $195,990 $131,566 $47,302 $110,309 $54,496 $144,642 $142,139

Engineering – Chemical/Chemistry $158,886 $116,563 $256,124 $125,084 $117,705 $92,000 $65,132 $64,697 $135,545

Engineering – Civil/Construction/Facilities $171,790 $30,560 $100,402 $81,547 $143,271 $104,861 $207,790 $41,503 $90,757 $129,308

Engineering – Completions $173,023 $157,132 $158,464 $107,109 $103,009 $154,601 $106,407 $132,158 $109,044 $66,629 $147,064

Engineering – Drilling $206,139 $158,329 $155,590 $123,563 $107,413 $137,968 $111,407 $102,622 $119,469 $120,486 $157,574

Engineering – Health/Safety/Environment $182,929 $41,951 $183,138 $79,968 $98,359 $119,002 $62,622 $86,394 $73,520 $28,884 $131,404

Engineering – Production $173,807 $81,452 $159,970 $93,774 $115,505 $113,739 $32,465 $74,402 $70,605 $73,933 $130,696

Engineering – Reservoir $194,850 $109,734 $151,687 $132,596 $141,602 $120,244 $36,206 $68,469 $95,399 $70,410 $151,742

Engineering – Other or Combination of Above $186,062 $122,272 $139,049 $113,382 $206,954 $128,337 $120,581 $86,803 $143,224 $105,339 $158,352

Finance or Administration $247,645 $79,590 $129,481 $74,112 $78,849 $55,089 $182,069

Geophysics/Petrophysics/Physics $199,780 $81,977 $202,285 $75,560 $185,767 $382,870 $97,971 $65,261 $170,304 $92,307 $183,317

Non-Engineering Technical $112,806 $13,264 $156,560 $92,876 $97,954 $126,140 $21,185 $126,112 $41,087 $123,448 $102,223

Professional Training $200,350 $200,000 $15,369 $60,000 $135,214

Research $142,644 $77,962 $125,682 $149,000 $133,319 $14,130 $41,944 $50,396 $64,746 $113,832

Sales or Marketing $139,149 $92,445 $76,918 $102,384 $130,528 $104,507 $103,830 $93,477 $141,368 $75,583 $123,438

Other or Combination of Above $221,253 $223,447 $248,739 $109,143 $89,498 $209,383 $189,166 $122,402 $175,549 $174,986 $194,062

Digital Technology (Hardware) - Automation, Robotics, IIoT, Edge, AR/VR

$85,000 $60,448 $50,102 $119,370 $78,730

Digital Technology (Software) - Data Science, Data Analytics, Digital Engineering

$132,872 $27,567 $57,859 $78,237 $256,000 $114,834 $44,634 $40,128 $53,808 $102,878

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Figure 5

The Impact of Gender – Experience Level and Compensation Across all job levels, females reported fewer years of oil and gas industry experience than males. In most job categories, females continue to earn less overall compensation than males. Female Technician/Specialist/Support Staff, however, earn considerably higher base pay than males, despite having an average of four years less experience in the oil and gas industry. While total compensation for Technician/Specialist/Support Staff has declined by four percent overall since 2016, females have gained 22.6% while male compensation decreased by 13%. For overall Professional/Individual Contributor respondents, there was an increase of 5.8% in total compensation since 2016. Male Professional/Individual Contributor total compensation increased 6.1% on average, while females Professional/Individual Contributor total compensation only gained a 0.4% increase on average. Manager/Director total compensation increased two percent overall since 2016, but male compensation grew by 2.7% while females grew by 1.9%.

Compensation by Gender and Experience

Female Male

Executive/ Top Management

Manager/ Director

Supervisor/ Superintendent/

Lead

Professional/ Individual

Contributor

Technician/ Specialist/

Support Staff

Executive/ Top Management

Manager/ Director

Supervisor/ Superintendent/

Lead

Professional/ Individual

Contributor

Technician/ Specialist/

Support Staff

Average Years of Experience in Oil and Gas

29 18 17 11 12 30 25 19 15 16

Number of Records

11 43 54 228 38 217 469 464 1,102 117

Average Base Pay (USD)

$230,161 $146,491 $120,239 $104,350 $115,174 $250,497 $183,415 $140,172 $131,339 $80,737

Average Other Compensation (USD)

$151,249 $51,213 $16,629 $25,154 $11,510 $182,851 $67,403 $37,887 $35,513 $9,528

Average Total Compensation (USD)

$381,410 $197,704 $136,868 $129,393 $126,684 $433,348 $250,818 $178,059 $166,852 $90,265

Percent Change from 2016 to 2019

103.8% 1.9% -0.3% 0.4% 22.6% 26.5% 2.7% -3.2% 6.1% -13.0%

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Figure 6

The Impact of Gender – Base Pay Increase and Decrease The majority of respondents reported either an increase or no change to their base pay since 2018. Females continue to report improvements in base pay year over year (67.4% in 2019, 65% in 2018, 57.2% in 2017, and 41.4% in 2016). Males showed similar increases as those reported in 2018 (63.8% in 2019, 64% in 2018, 48.3% in 2017, and 35.0% in 2016).

63.8%

32.3%

3.9%

67.4%

29.7%

2.9%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Increase No change Decrease

Respondents' Change in Salary Since July 2018 by Gender

Male

Female

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Figure 7

Change in Base Pay by Region As in 2018, nearly two-thirds of respondents (64.5%) reported an increase in base pay during the period of 30 June 2018 to 30 June 2019. Respondents in Northern and Central Asia indicated sizable increases in base pay in 2019 compared to 2018 (63.1% in 2019; 47.2% in 2018). North Sea and Northern Atlantic and South, Central, and Eastern Europe regions also experienced increases in base pay in 2019 (up 10-11%).

68.9%

59.2%61.1%

56.0%

49.3%

69.9%

63.1%

49.4%

63.3% 64.5%

28.2%

36.7%34.3%

39.5%

48.0%

26.6%

32.1%

40.5%

35.0%31.2%

3.0% 4.2% 4.6% 4.5%2.7% 3.6% 4.8%

10.1%

1.7%4.3%

United States Africa Oceania,Australia, andNew Zealand

Canada Middle East North Sea andNorth Atlantic

Northern andCentral Asia

South America,Caribbean, and

Mexico

South, Central,and Eastern

Europe

Southeast Asia

Change in Base Pay by Region

Increase in Base Pay No Change in Base Pay Decrease in Base Pay

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Figure 8

Average Base Pay Change by Region The overall average increase in base pay in 2019 was 13.4% compared to 8.9% in 2018. In the United States, the average increase in pay was 29.1% compared to 9.2% in 2018. Likewise, in South America, Caribbean, and Mexico the average increase in 2019 was 32.3% compared to 11.8% in 2018. The Middle East had increases in base pay with 18% in 2019 compared to 6.3% in 2018. Of those who had decreased base pay, the average decrease in 2019 was -19.0%, which is considerably less substantial than the -27.7% average decrease in 2018.

-24.9% -23.5%-18.4%

-32.1%

-9.3%-13.1%

-16.9%-21.8%

-9.0%

-20.8%

29.1%

11.6%6.5% 5.1%

18.0%

5.7%10.5%

32.3%

8.4% 6.4%

-40%

-30%

-20%

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

UnitedStates

Africa Oceania,Australia,and NewZealand

Canada Middle East North Seaand North

Atlantic

Northernand Central

Asia

SouthAmerica,

Caribbean,and Mexico

South,Central, and

EasternEurope

SoutheastAsia

Average Base Pay Change by Base Region

Decrease Increase

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How to Learn More This report represents a sample of current compensation in the industry. This report is available at www.spe.org/industry/oil-and-gas-salary-survey. A detailed summary report containing charts and descriptive statistics of trends and more information on the jobs, geographies, and employer types will be available through the SPE Bookstore at http://store.spe.org/ in November 2019. SPE will make the detailed PDF summary report available to download through the SPE Bookstore at a USD 50 member price and USD 125 nonmember price. A file containing the raw data from the survey responses will be available for download through the bookstore to provide the opportunity for individual analysis and localization of data. Pricing for access to data for analysis will be USD 225 for SPE members and USD 425 for nonmembers, also available in November 2019. The data file comes bundled with the detailed summary report. Inquiries regarding purchase may be addressed through the SPE Bookstore website. Other questions regarding the survey can be addressed to [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in this important project and your continued support of SPE. The SPE Research Team

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2019 SPE Membership Salary Survey · 2019-11-07 · Membership Salary Survey. The survey asks about...

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