3. As global market leaders in Knowledge and Information
Management recruitment (KIM), we are asked on a daily
basis for our advice on salaries: what to offer, what to ask
for, how it compares to the market and whether it will attract
the right people. With this thirst for information in mind, we
felt it was a good time to formally conduct research and
produce this first annual survey for the information industry.
Given the continued improvement of the economy and the growing number of
opportunities for candidates, I hope that employers find this guide timely and helpful
for finding and retaining the best talent. I also hope that it enables employees to
effectively benchmark themselves against their peers and to look at their sector and
location, allowing them to have a more informed opinion when making their next
pivotal career move.
On behalf of both the TFPL and Sue Hill KIM teams, thank you to everyone who took
the time to complete the survey. Your input and support is very much appreciated.
Introduction by Chris Jones, Managing Director
About this survey: The survey was emailed to candidates and clients on the SHR & TFPL databases in April 2015 and was hosted online via Survey Monkey. We had 1,557 responses and
1440 analysable questionnaires. All salaries are per annum figures and represent the annual basic salary before deduction of tax, national insurance and pension contribution. All other
cash payments are excluded. The average salary is obtained by arranging all the salaries paid for any particular role, or group of roles, in order of magnitude from high to low and by
selecting the most common (mode) value. The job categories and sectors chosen are based on the core areas of recruitment for the TFPL and SHR teams and the regular requests from
clients in these sectors to benchmark salaries for new and existing roles. If you have any comments, criticisms or suggestions relating to the survey, please contact us – details on page 15.
4. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
4
Commercial & Private sector – Commentary by Tracey South, Manager
2014/15 saw us concentrate on recruiting within commercial organisations, while our colleagues at Sue
Hill moved to partner with the not-for-profit, academic and public sectors. With a concentrated focus on the
commercial sector, it has been interesting to see the developments in hiring patterns over the last 12 months.
There have been some very clear areas of
demand, demonstrated most clearly in Knowledge
Management roles within law and professional
services organisations. It is pleasing to note that
the demand has mainly come from growth instead
of a like-for-like replacement. There appears to be
a real sense of investment happening in this area.
Coupled with this growth has been a growing call
for client facing skills – a reflection of information
management teams working more closely with the
core business. Forward planning roles such as
strategists, analysts, researchers and insight have
also seen a tremendous rise in demand.
There is no doubt that we are suffering a
skill shortage in Knowledge and Information
Management, seen most acutely in the experience
bracket of 2-5 years. It seems that we are
paying the price for the lack of hiring activity
post-2009 crash. The knock-on impact has
affected the number of graduates coming into the
profession, perhaps because it appears to offer less
employability than other professions. Additional
signs of a tightening market have been seen in the
number of counter offers made to keep good people
in the business, increased signing on bonuses, and
a demand for our benchmarking services. However,
the pressure to keep wage increases to a minimum
for current employees remains in force.
With a tight skills market, we’ve seen a huge rise
in the number of overseas hires being made in
the last 12 months. The vast majority are from
within the EU – their language skills highly sought
after in London, and with a still flat Central
European market.
What do the next 12 months have in store for
us? We predict permanent hire growth continuing
to outstrip interim demands, financial services
continuing to grow strongly and the senior legal
market bouncing back to life.
2
8
1
88
67
3
5
21
8
8
11
2 5
5
5 8
5
5
4
3
5
2
1
9
12
5
3
5
7
5. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
5
Job title
L O N D O N R E S T O F U K
Legal
S A L A R Y
Min
45
30
30
25
20
20
15
15
25
25
20
15
50
35
30
25
15
30
40
25
25
20
30
30
25
20
Average Salary
55-60
35-40
30-35
30-35
30-35
25-30
20-25
20-25
30-35
25-30
20-25
15-20
55-60
45-50
35-40
25-30
20-25
45-50
40-45
25-30
30-35
25-30
30-35
30-35
25-30
35-40
Max
60
60
45
40
40
30
25
25
40
30
25
25
80+
55
45
35
30
75
55
40
40
50
50
50
40
45
Min
50
45
40
35
35
25
20
20
30
25
20
15
70
40
35
30
20
65
40
35
35
25
35
35
30
30
Average Salary
55-60
55-60
45-40
35-40
40-45
25-30
20-25
20-25
35-40
25-30
20-25
15-20
85-95
50-55
40-45
35-40
30-35
70-75
50-55
45-55
35-40
30-35
35-40
35-45
35-40
35-40
Max
85
60
70
40
60
35
35
30
55
30
25
25
120+
60
50
40
35
90
65
60
55
55
50
55
50
50
Chief/Head Librarian
Deputy Librarian
Information Manager
Systems Librarian
Librarian/ Subject Librarian
Assistant Librarian/Information Officer/Specialist
Senior Library Assistant
Library Assistant
Records Manager
Records Officer
Records Assistant
Archives Assistant
Head of Knowledge
Knowledge Manager
KnowHow Officer
Knowledge Officer
Web/Content/Database Assistant
Head of Research
Competitive Intelligence Researcher/Analyst
Research Analyst - Sector specialist
Market Analyst
Research Analyst - Generalist
Market & Insight Researcher/Analyst
Business Analyst
Information / Research Analyst
Researcher
Legal is the best sector to work for additional benefits – 88% of respondents
in this sector said their employers offered a benefits package
70% of people in Financial Services got benefits and 69% across
other commercial sectors
70% 69%
88%
Figures are in British Pound Sterling (£) and (K) for thousand per annum
6. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
6
Job title
Financial Services
L O N D O N R E S T O F U KS A L A R Y
Min
60
35
30
30
20
50
30
25
20
60
35
35
35
30
75
45
45
40
45
35
35
30
30
25
Average Salary
70-75
50-55
35-40
30-35
20-25
65-70
40-50
25-30
20-25
85-95
45-50
40-45
40-45
45-50
90-95
55-60
60-65
55-60
45-50
40-45
50-55
60-65
45-50
30-35
Max
120
70
45
40
30
85
55
35
30
120+
65
60
55
50
120
65
80
65
60
60
60
60
50
40
Min
50
30
25
25
15
40
25
20
20
55
30
30
35
25
50
35
30
35
25
20
25
25
25
20
Average Salary
55-60
45-50
30-35
25-30
20-25
60-70
30-35
20-25
20-25
55-60
45-50
50-55
40-45
35-40
55-60
50-55
55-60
55-60
25-30
20-25
30-35
50-55
40-45
25-30
Max
70
60
40
35
25
75
40
25
25
80
60
55
50
45
90
55
70
60
40
40
55
55
45
35
Chief/Head Librarian
Information Manager
Librarian/ Subject Librarian
Assistant Librarian/Information Officer/Specialist
Information Assistant
Head of Records
Records Manager
Records Officer
Records Assistant
Head of Knowledge
Information Architect
Knowledge Manager
Web/Content/Database Manager
Knowledge Officer
Head of Research
Competitive Intelligence Researcher/Analyst
Market & Insight Researcher/Analyst
Research Analyst - Sector specialist
Market Analyst
Business Analyst
Information/Research Analyst
Research Analyst - Generalist
Researcher
Data Analyst
47% of those working in the financial services industry don’t hold an
information-related qualification
Library & information qualifications in Financial Services:
47%
NONEMastersBachelorsOtherNon UKPostgraduatePhD
1% 10% 14% 18%4% 6%
Figures are in British Pound Sterling (£) and (K) for thousand per annum
7. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
7
Min
50
45
45
45
30
25
25
20
35
30
20
15
45
30
20
20
Average Salary
55-65
45-50
50-55
45-50
35-40
25-30
25-30
20-25
40-45
35-40
25-30
15-20
60-65
30-35
25-30
20-25
Max
120
55
70
50
45
35
30
25
50
45
30
25
80
50
30
25
Min
40
45
40
25
20
20
20
15
30
20
15
15
40
25
20
15
Average Salary
50-55
45-50
65-70
35-40
25-30
20-25
20-25
15-20
35-40
20-25
15-20
15-20
50-55
30-35
20-25
20-25
Max
120
50
60
40
35
25
25
20
40
35
20
20
75
45
30
25
Chief/Head Librarian
Deputy Librarian
Information Manager
Systems Librarian
Librarian/ Subject Librarian
Assistant Librarian/ Information Officer/Specialist
Senior Library Assistant
Library Assistant/ Information Assistant
Head of Archives
Archivist
Assistant Archivist
Archives Assistant
Head of Records
Records Manager
Records Officer
Records Assistant
Job title
Other Commercial
L O N D O N R E S T O F U KS A L A R Y
If you’re interested in working abroad look to the commercial sector
Alongside Financial Services this sector had that highest proportion of people
working outside the UK (13%)
Figures are in British Pound Sterling (£) and (K) for thousand per annum
13%
8. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
8
Chief Knowledge Officer
Head of Knowledge
Information Architect
Taxonomist
Knowledge Manager
Web/Content/Database Manager
Knowledge Officer
Web/Content/Database Assistant
Head of Research
Competitive Intelligence Researcher/Analyst
Market & Insight Researcher/Analyst
Research Analyst – Sector specialist
Market Analyst
Business Analyst
Information / Research Analyst
Research Analyst – Generalist
Researcher
Data Analyst
Job title Min
70
70
60
60
40
30
20
20
60
45
30
35
30
35
30
30
30
25
Average Salary
115-120
85-90
65-70
60-65
40-45
30-35
20-25
20-25
80
45-50
40-45
40-45
30-35
35-40
30-35
30-35
35-40
25-30
Max
150+
110
80
70
65
50
35
30
100
60
55
55
55
50
40
45
45
35
Other Commercial (cont.)
Min
65
65
30
30
20
25
15
20
55
40
30
25
25
30
20
25
20
20
Average Salary
75-80
65-70
35-40
35-40
25-30
30-35
15-20
20-25
70
45-50
40-45
40-45
30-35
45-50
25-30
30-35
25-30
20-25
Max
120+
75
55
55
50
35
25
30
75
50
50
45
45
50
30
40
35
30
L O N D O N R E S T O F U KS A L A R Y
The majority of people working in the Commercial Sectors are
in Research and Analysis - 33%
22%
5%
18%
13%
9%
22% are in Knowledge Management, 18% in Information Management,
13% in Libraries, 9% in Records Management and 5% in Archives
Figures are in British Pound Sterling (£) and (K) for thousand per annum
9. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
9
Since September 2014, Sue Hill Recruitment (SHR) and TFPL have been working as two teams. SHR
recruits within the public and not-for-profit sectors, and TFPL operates in the commercial arena. Our clients
choose to work with us for our specialist knowledge, extensive networks, comprehensive databases and
bespoke advertising solutions.
In the academic world, we have seen increasing
demand for competent customer service skills
in prospective candidates. It’s important for
universities to meet the rising expectations
of a more consumer-driven student body and
to score well in national league tables and
student satisfaction surveys. While demand has
remained high for the provision of temporary
and interim candidates within universities, we
have seen permanent recruitment increasing
over the last year – especially at junior to middle
management level.
We are seeing skill shortages in developing
areas due to the fast-pace of technology and
the need for readily available information
from reliable resources. These skills gaps
include open access and digital resources
within information or collection management.
This has created a candidate shortage, and
the candidates with these skills are in high
demand for project and permanent roles. We
have also seen a shortage of some of the
more traditional skills due to this shift, such
as cataloguing – not necessarily considered
an attractive field in the growing wake of data
curation.
Permanent senior level appointments remain at
a low level, with only a handful of newly created
positions each year. Where we have seen a
small growth in this area is primarily outside of
the UK in developing economies such as Kenya,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
More broadly across the junior to mid-level roles,
clients are beginning to move beyond simply
hiring replacement staff to recruiting for growth.
This is a positive sign for recruitment and shows
confidence in the economy. While salaries
remained relatively flat in the second half of
2014, there has been an encouraging uplift in
those that require a specialist skillset, notably
cataloguing, open access and digital curation.
Flexibility is becoming a key offering from our
not-for-profit clients across the board, giving job
seekers the work-life balance that is so highly
sought-after. This incorporates telecommuting at
a more senior level. This open-minded approach
to working hours gives both temporary and
permanent workers the opportunity to fulfil their
non-work commitments, as costs of childcare
and looking after our increasingly elderly society
continue to soar.
2
8
1
88
67
3
5
21
8
8
11
2 5
5
5
5
9
12
5
3
5
7
Public, charity and not-for-profit sectors – Commentary by
Suzanne Wheatley, Manager
10. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
10
Min
15
40
25
15
15
<15
<15
45
25
20
15
20
15
65
25
25
15
45
25
30
Average Salary
60-65
50-55
35-40
25-30
25-30
25-30
15-20
50-55
35-40
25-30
15-20
25-30
20-25
60-65
30-35
30-35
20-25
45-50
25-30
35-40
Max
75
55
50
55
45
30
55
55
50
30
25
30
25
65
35
35
25
60
35
40
Min
55
30
30
15
15
<15
<15
45
35
20
20
30
15
40
25
35
20
45
30
25
Average Salary
70
50-55
30-35
35-40
25-30
25-30
20-25
50-55
40-45
30-35
20-25
30-35
20-25
45-50
25-30
35-40
25-30
45-50
40-45
25-30
Max
85
70
40
55
45
35
30
55
45
35
30
40
25
60
30
45
30
60
50
45
Job title
Chief/Head Librarian
Deputy Librarian
Systems Librarian
Librarian/Subject Librarian
Assistant Librarian
Senior Library Assistant
Library Assistant
Head of Archives
Archivist
Assistant Archivist
Archives Assistant
Records Manager
Records Assistant
Head of Knowledge
Knowledge Manager/Officer
Web/Content/Database Manager
Web/Content/Database Assistant
Head of Research
Information Manager
Information Officer/Specialist
A C A D E M I C
Academic
L O N D O N R E S T O F U KS A L A R Y
The academic sector has been hiring a lot in the past 12 months - 26% of those working in
the academic sector have been in their role for less than a year
The Legal sector has been hiring the least – only 14% are new to their jobs,
in the Healthcare sector the figure is 22%
26%14% 22%
Figures are in British Pound Sterling (£) and (K) for thousand per annum
10
11. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
11
Job title
Chief/Head Librarian
Deputy Librarian
Systems Librarian
Librarian/Subject Librarian
Assistant Librarian
Library Assistant
Records Manager
Records Officer
Records Assistant
Head of Knowledge
Knowledge Manager
Web/Content/Database Manager
Head of Research
Research Analyst - Sector Specialist
Information Manager
Information Officer/Specialist
Figures are in British Pound Sterling (£) and (K) for thousand per annum
Healthcare/NHS
L O N D O N R E S T O F U KS A L A R Y
Min
30
25
20
15
20
15
20
15
15
40
30
20
60
45
30
20
Average Salary
40-45
30-35
30-35
25-30
25-30
15-20
30-35
20-25
15-20
45-50
35-40
25-30
60
45-50
30-35
20-25
Max
60
50
40
35
30
20
40
25
25
55
45
35
70
50
40
30
Min
45
35
25
25
20
20
35
20
15
40
40
30
65
40
30
25
Average Salary
55
55-60
35-40
30-35
25-30
20-25
55-60
15-20
0-15
55-60
45-50
30-35
70
50-55
35-40
35-40
Max
75
60
45
45
30
30
70
30
20
70
55
35
75
60
45
45
Healthcare sector workers are the most likely to hold an MA/MSc in Library
and Information Management
– 35% completed their taught masters, while third sector saw 13% and
government/NGO a slightly higher 19%.
13%
19%
35%
12. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
12
10%
Min
35
30
30
20
25
15
30
15
15
<15
40
25
15
50
25
35
30
30
25
25
50
35
30
20
40
20
Average Salary
40-45
35
30-35
30-35
25-30
20-25
35-40
55-60
20-25
0-15
40-45
25-30
20-25
50-55
30-35
35-40
40-45
30-35
25-30
25-30
50-55
40-45
40-45
20-25
40-45
20-25
Max
60
45
40
50
35
25
55
35
25
20
50
35
30
55
40
40
50
40
35
30
55
50
55
30
55
25
Job title Min
45
35
35
25
25
15
45
25
20
<15
65
25
25
65
30
30
25
30
30
25
50
40
35
20
40
20
Average Salary
60
35-40
35-40
30-35
25-30
20-25
55
25-30
25-30
0-15
70
25-30
25-30
75
35-40
30-35
25-30
30-35
35-40
25-30
60
50-55
50
20-25
40-45
20-25
Max
85
55
45
45
35
25
70
40
30
30
80
40
30
85
45
40
35
40
40
35
65
60
60
30
55
30
Government
L O N D O N R E S T O F U KS A L A R Y
Chief/Head Librarian
Deputy Librarian
Systems Librarian
Librarian/Subject Librarian
Assistant Librarian
Library Assistant
Head of Archives
Archivist
Assistant Archivist
Archives Assistant
Head of Records
Records Manager
Records Officer
Chief Knowledge Officer
Information Architect
Knowledge Manager
Web/Content/Database Manager
Know How Officer
Knowledge Officer
Market & Insight Researcher/Analyst
Information/Research Analyst
Research Analyst - Generalist
Information Manager
Information Officer/Specialist
Business Analyst
Researcher
GOVERNMENT & NGO:
15% of government workers have completed a postgraduate diploma (PgDip)
in library and information studies – more than any other sector
6% of Third Sector employees have one, as do 10% of Local Authority and Public Library
15%6%
Figures are in British Pound Sterling (£) and (K) for thousand per annum
13. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
13
Min
35
25
25
25
<15
<15
<15
30
20
<15
<15
25
15
15
45
25
30
55
20
25
30
60
20
Average Salary
50
30-35
25-30
30-35
20-25
15-20
15-20
30-35
20-25
20-25
15-20
25-30
20
15-20
45-50
25-30
40-45
55-60
20-25
25-30
30-35
65
20-25
Max
65
35
35
35
25
25
25
45
30
25
20
30
25
20
50
35
45
60
25
35
35
65
30
Job title
Chief/Head Librarian
Deputy Librarian
Systems Librarian
Librarian/ Subject Librarian
Assistant Librarian
Senior Library Assistant
Library Assistant
Head of Archives
Archivist
Assistant Archivist
Archives Assistant
Records Manager
Records Officer
Records Assistant
Head of Knowledge
Information Architect
Knowledge Manager
Web/Content/Database Manager
Web/Content/Database Assistant
Information/Research Analyst
Information Manager
Business Analyst
Information Officer/Specialist
Min
35
30
25
20
<15
15
<15
35
25
<15
<15
25
20
15
55
40
30
25
20
30
30
65
25
Average Salary
55
35-40
25-30
25-30
20-25
15-20
20-25
35-40
25-30
25-30
15-20
25-30
20-25
15-20
60
45
30-35
25-30
25-30
35-40
35-40
70
30-35
Max
70
40
45
40
30
30
30
60
50
45
25
40
25
25
70
55
45
45
30
40
45
70
35
Third Sector
L O N D O N R E S T O F U KS A L A R Y
THIRD SECTOR:
Third sector workers are the most likely to hold a PhD
– 4.2% earned themselves this title
4% 2.5% 2.4%
Those working in academia
come second at 4% and Government and NGO 3rd at 2.4%.
Overall 2.5% of our survey respondents had a PhD
Figures are in British Pound Sterling (£) and (K) for thousand per annum
13
14. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
14
Min
50
35
25
20
<15
<15
<15
30
25
<15
25
15
25
20
30
25
30
20
20
Average Salary
55
40-45
30-35
25-30
15-20
15-20
15-20
35-40
20-25
25-30
30-35
15-20
25-30
25-30
30-35
35-40
30-35
20-25
20-25
Max
65
50
35
45
20
25
20
45
35
30
35
20
30
30
35
40
40
35
30
Job title
Chief/Head Librarian
Deputy Librarian
Systems Librarian
Librarian/ Subject Librarian
Assistant Librarian
Senior Library Assistant
Library Assistant
Head of Archives
Archivist
Assistant Archivist
Records Manager
Records Assistant
Knowledge Manager
Web/Content/Database Manager
Knowledge Officer
Research Analyst - Sector specialist
Information Manager
Information Officer/Specialist
Researcher
Min
50
30
40
25
15
15
<15
50
25
25
30
15
35
25
25
30
40
25
25
Average Salary
55-60
40-45
40-45
30-35
15-20
20-25
15-20
55-60
30-35
25-30
35-40
15-20
40-45
30-35
25-30
35-40
50-55
30-35
25-30
Max
65
50
45
45
20
35
30
60
40
30
40
20
50
35
35
40
60
35
30
Local Authority + Public Libraries
L O N D O N R E S T O F U KS A L A R Y
LOCAL AUTHORITY & PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Local authorities
and public libraries have more jobs around the country than any other sector
– 52% of respondents in this sector were based outside London
24% for Third Sector and only 20% Financial Services
2420
Third
Sector
Financial
Services
52
Outside
London
Figures are in British Pound Sterling (£) and (K) for thousand per annum
14
15. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
15
16%
E A R N
£25K~£30K
What does the average Library & Information Professional look like?
42%
LIBRARY SECTOR
Female
68%
MA/MSC LEVEL
48%
E D U C A T E D24%
HAVE BEEN WORKING
IN THE INDUSTRY FOR
1-3 YEARS
W O R K
I N L O N D O N
60%
IN AN
ACADEMIC
INSTITUTION
27%
15
16. S A L A R Y S U R V E Y 2 0 1 5
16
Our Group
As part of Progility Plc we are proud to be able to offer our customers the full range of support services
from across the group – our success is founded on a collaborative working practice.
Research SharePoint
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
IT
Publishing &
Content Provision
Knowledge &
Information Management
Personal
Development
Insight &
Intelligence
Leadership &
Management
Risk &
Compliance
Project
Management
Records &
Document Management
Progility Recruitment
Through our combined expertise we offer a seamless recruitment service across
information, knowledge, market research, insight, analytics, big data, records, and
project and programme management
ILX
An internationally recognised provider of professional learning and consulting
solutions - delivering Portfolio Programme & Project Management, IT Service
Management, Risk Management and Business Financial Literacy learning solutions.
WoodSpeen
Offers range of Apprenticeships programmes in Health & Social Care, Business
and Administration, Customer Service, Team Leading, Retail, I.T., Childcare,
Hairdressing & Barbering, Manufacturing, Warehousing & Storage.
CONTACT US
For further information on any of our courses, or to request a copy of our course directory please contact:
T: 020 7751 7169 E: learning@tfpl.com
TFPL Learning
TFPL Learning is the specialist training and development service company for the library, knowledge and
information management industry. We offer over 100 specialised courses across 11 disciplines:
16
17. E: recruitment@tfpl.com
www.tfpl.com
S u e H i l l R e c r u i t m e n t a n d T F P L a r e p a r t o f P r o g i l i t y P l c – w w w . p r o g i l i t y . c o m
8 0 B o r o u g h H i g h S t r e e t , L o n d o n S E 1 1 L L T : 0 2 0 7 3 7 8 7 0 6 8
E: jobs@suehill.com
www.suehill.com
