Salary survey points to gender gap in the communications industry

The Indian Communicators Group (ICG) has released its 2024 Salary Survey Report, a comprehensive analysis of salary trends within the communications industry. This report, spearheaded by industry experts Shashank Bharadwaj and Nanda Padmanabhan, marks a significant milestone in addressing the longstanding absence of standardized benchmarks for roles and compensation in the field. The 2024 ICG Salary Survey Report is the culmination of extensive research conducted among approximately 700 in-house communications professionals, representing a diverse range of sectors and industries. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the survey provides valuable insights into salary ranges, job satisfaction, and gender trends within the industry.

Key findings from the report include:

The median salary for in-house communications professionals across experience ranges stands at Rs.35L, with notable disparities between male and female salaries.

Salary satisfaction is closely correlated with income levels, with higher salaries leading to increased job satisfaction.
Women in the communications field face challenges related to gender parity, with fewer women in senior roles and a decline in representation as experience levels increase. While more young women enter the workforce, they are paid significantly less than men at similar experience levels. However, the pay gap narrows at higher experience levels.
The majority of respondents believe agency salaries fall short of in-house salaries for comparable roles.

Communication professionals identified language & communication skills, relationship management, and domain expertise as the most crucial skillsets.

The 2024 ICG Salary Survey Report not only sheds light on current compensation trends but also serves as a guiding tool for professionals to advocate for fair recognition and compensation within the industry. With a focus on empowering individuals to navigate their career trajectories effectively, this report is a valuable resource for communication professionals seeking to understand and benchmark their worth in the field.