NI marketers see higher-than-average wage increases

A survey has found that marketing professionals have seen average pay increases rise significantly above the national average, with the north's marketers earning around £30,000 a year.

Pay increases for the industry averaged around 4% compared with the national average of 2.8%. However, the average annual salary for marketers in Northern Ireland is now £30,000, which exactly matches the national average, according to the latest marketing rewards survey by The Rewards Group and the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Senior managers command £36,750, which is 5.8% below the national average for their rank.

Commenting on the research, Michael Maguire, Director of the Chartered Institute in Northern Ireland, said: “These are very welcoming results and I hope that they will encourage more people into the marketing profession. It is also important that the average annual salary in Northern Ireland matches the national average hence reducing the attraction of key marketers seeking job opportunities outside of Northern Ireland”

Meanwhile on another wage related issue, the minimum wage rates have been increased as of the start of this month. Workers will see increases from £3.50 to £3.60 for 18-21 year olds and from £4.10 to £4.20 for 22 year olds and over from October 1.

The Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureau have set up a helpline, on behalf of the Inland Revenue and the Department of Trade and Industry, to handle public enquiries on the issue.

The Helpline on 0845 6500207 has handled over 2,000 queries from the general public on the national minimum wage and helped to obtain over £160,000 in pay arrears for low-pay workers.

(GMcG)