Salaries in chemistry & life sciences rose significantly in 2023: insights from the beta compensation survey
The results of the 2023 Beta Compensation Survey show a remarkable salary increase among employees in the chemistry and life sciences sectors. According to the survey, conducted by Berenschot on behalf of CheckMark Labrecruitment and the Royal Netherlands Chemical Society (KNCV), salaries in these sectors increased by an average of 8.6%. This is a significantly higher rise compared to sectors such as IT (6.8%) and HR (7.4%), though it remains below the 11% increase seen in Public Administration.
A broad salary increase across all levels
From young to old, and from vocational (MBO) to university (WO) education, everyone in the chemistry and life sciences sectors saw a salary increase in 2023. This contrasts with the summer of 2022 when inflation had not yet been fully reflected in wages. The current increases are largely attributed to price compensations, meaning the real purchasing power of employees has been somewhat protected from economic fluctuations.
Expectations for the future
Interestingly, the expectations for salary increases in the coming year are lower than the actual increases from last year. Operators, postdocs, and QA/RA officers saw above-average increases, while lab managers and scientists lagged slightly behind. For 2024, operators expect a 10.5% increase, while WO-level analysts/technicians foresee a 9.3% rise.
Job satisfaction: more than just salary
Despite the significant salary increases, wages remain just part of the story when it comes to job satisfaction. As in previous years, “atmosphere and collegiality” tops the list of factors contributing to job satisfaction, followed by “recognition/acknowledgment” and “work-life balance/vitality.” Salary only ranks fourth. This highlights that, in addition to offering competitive wages, employers should also invest in a positive work environment and recognition for their employees. At the same time, the survey indicates that a better salary offer is a key pull factor for passive job seekers.
Conclusion
The 2023 Beta Compensation Survey shows that salary plays an important role within the broader spectrum of factors contributing to job satisfaction, especially in employee mobility. Employers in the chemistry and life sciences sectors would do well not only to offer competitive salaries but also to invest in a positive work environment, employee recognition, and a good work-life balance. Only in this way can they attract and retain talent in a competitive job market.
This is a summary of the key findings. The full survey is available in Dutch below.
Would you like to know more about the results of the survey? Contact us at cora@checkmark.nl or 088 00 211 00.
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