Hong Kong: Communications practitioners (professionals in the communication and corporate affairs industry) in India are drawing the lowest salary among Asia Pacific countries. According to the 2017 State of the Industry report launched today by Prospect (@PRProspect) and PublicAffairsAsia (@PAAGoldStandard), communications practitioners in Australia continue to draw the highest average salary (at US$199,000) compared to their Asia Pacific counterparts, followed by Singapore (US$151,000), mainland China (US$149,000), Hong Kong (US$133,000), Southeast Asia (US$95,000) and India (US$91,000) in descending order.
Internal Communications and PR professionals in India earn the least with US$91,000 Vs USD US$115,000 average in the Asia Pacific region. Despite economic uncertainty and lower salary increases in the last year compared to previous years, predictions for salary increases within the APAC communications industry remain optimistic for 2017.
The report mentioned that a third of all firms now offer their staff flexi time, encouraging in the communications industry popular with women, who often have to balance home-life with their careers. With the continuing struggle to find talent, firms need to trust their employees to work remotely, allowing for greater work-life integration.
In addition to salary and benefits, this study conducted annually by the Public Affairs Asia network and Prospect identifies key reasons communications practitioners leave their companies, addresses issues facing the APAC communications industry, offers insights on growth opportunities and what communications practitioners must do to remain competitive in 2017.
Emma Dale, managing director of Asia and co-founder of Prospect, the global talent resource specialist for the communications industry, says, “There are opportunities in the fast-moving digital space, but also concern around budgets, talent retention and the lack of certain skills. Despite a challenging economic climate, salaries and bonuses are on the rise, and findings of our 2017 State of the Industry report give grounds for optimism in 2017 for our industry.”
Craig Hoy, executive director of Public Affairs Asia, said “The growth in digital is by far the biggest industry shift seen in recent years. It has not, however, supplanted traditional media nor the need for direct Public Affairs engagement, which remain vitally important. Companies need staff with new skills, such as digital and content curation, but not at the expense of fundamentals such as good writing and credible story-telling capabilities.”
