Wage & Benefits Survey Conducted for the Lincoln Trail Area of Kentucky 

A workforce study commissioned by the Lincoln Trail Area Development District on behalf of the Workforce Investment Board was released in April 2004.  The Pathfinders, an economic development and corporate site-selection consultant firm conducted it.  The survey includes information on employer ratings of the workforce, an average wage section and a fringe benefit section.  Ninety-one large and small firms in the region participated.  The response rate, 48%, was above average for this kind of survey. 

Some highlights of the survey: 

• 42 companies (46%) increased employment in the past 12 months, while 18 (20%) decreased for a net increase of 953 jobs.

• 40 companies (44%) project increasing employment during the next twelve months for a total of more than 500 jobs.

• The reported annual payroll for the participating companies was over $200 million with 12,401 employees and $415 million in annual local retail sales.

• 72% of the companies reported worker productivity as good or excellent and 67% reported worker reliability and attitudes as good or excellent.

• The availability of skilled labor was rated good by 25% of the participating employers and fair by 60% of the employers.

• The targeted business sectors were manufacturing, warehouse/distribution and large retail. 

• The Wage Section includes low, high and average entry wages, low/high average wages, number of employees per classification and number of firms reporting those classifications.

• 81 companies (89%) provide health insurance for employees and 17 companies (19%) reported paying 100% of the premium; 62 companies (68%) pay partial premiums.

• The top three financial plans offered by employers were 401K, with 75% of the companies offering it; annual bonus, with 21% of companies offering; and pension plans and profit-sharing plans following, each with 20% of the participating companies offering those plans.

• Employees in 21 of the reporting companies (23%) were eligible for paid vacation prior to one year of employment and employees of 62 companies (68%) were eligible for paid vacation after one year.

If you are a business owner, plant manager, human resource manager or any interested party you may obtain a copy of the Wage & Benefit Survey by contacting Jim Skees, Business Liaison for the Lincoln Trail Career Centers, at 270-769-2393 or jim@ltadd.org.