The GBTA Foundation has released its annual Compensation and Benefits study, which shows a moderate year-over-year increase in salary for U.S. travel buyers. The study also revealed GTP Certification holders earn nearly 10 percent more than their peers without it.
Average compensation for U.S. travel buyers saw a moderate 1.8 percent year-over-year increase in 2016, reaching $114,000. Despite only a modest increase, almost three-quarters (73 percent) of travel buyers are satisfied with their compensation, while only 8 percent are dissatisfied -- which is in line with the past two years and a dramatic decrease in those dissatisfied since 2013.
The 2016 Compensation and Benefits study reveals GTP Certification holders earn $125,000, 9.6 percent more than their peers without the certification.
The study is based on an online survey of 303 travel buyers residing in the United States who are employed full time. It was conducted from June 7-16, 2016. The study is available free of charge exclusively to GBTA members; non-members may purchase the report through the GBTA Foundation by sending an email inquiry.