The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber is asking businesses in the Valley to participate in its online 2017 Starting Wages and Benefits survey, which differs from other wage surveys in that it focuses on starting, rather than average, wages.

Sarah Boyarko, senior vice president of Economic Development at the Regional Chamber, said, “This survey is an indispensable economic development tool and provides information that enables companies to keep pay rates for new hires competitive; control payroll costs when making hiring and promotion decisions; and determine compensation and benefit levels based on industry comparisons.”

The Chamber has contacted area employers regularly over the years to obtain starting wages for various positions within their companies. Occupations are selected based on interest to industries, projected growth and future industry trends and include professional, skilled and non-skilled positions from industries such as manufacturing, health care, service businesses, retailers and distributors.

The survey comprises two sections: The first asks for details regarding company contact, size, hiring practices and benefits offered, while the second lists individual job titles and offers a place for businesses to write either the starting hourly or starting annual wage for each position.

The final report will be available to businesses that participate. Only aggregate results will be published, as individual questionnaire information is kept strictly confidential.

The survey is accessible to all businesses in the region (Chamber members and non-members) and may be filled out and submitted directly—or downloaded and emailed/faxed/mailed—at regionalchamber.com (the Wage and Benefit link is under the Economic Development drop-down menu). Surveys are due by June 15.

If you have any questions, or to return your completed survey, please contact Sandy Homrighouse, Economic Development specialist, at (330) 744.2131, ext. 1101, or Sandy@regionalchamber.com.