PRACTICE
MANAGER SALARY & BONUS SURVEY 2007
Introduction
to the survey
Our
survey of Practice Managers' salaries in the UK took place in June
and July 2007; we received over 1250 responses (a 22% increase on
the 2006 survey) representing over 15% of the Practice Managers in
the UK.
The
results are analysed by Region as well as nationally, and cover basic
salary and bonus.
The
results of any survey where averages are used need to be interpreted
with caution and this survey is no different; one unusually large
or small figure in a “relatively” small pool will distort
the final figure. We could have used modes as an alternative method
of identifying trends but we decided that averages were the best way
to portray the figures.
In
some of the bonus boxes the figure “nil” is entered –
this means that there were no declared bonuses in that category.
Some
other points about the methodology:
- Responses
are linked to counties based on postcode
-
Counties are grouped into broad geographical “Regions”
for analysis only
-
County groups within regions are based on proximity
-
All averages are based on source data – there are no “averages
of averages”. The “total” lines are averages for
the region or category.
-
Where “NAS” is used that is because there were not enough
responses in that category or location to ensure that we could protect
the anonymity of Managers.
Percentage
changes since last year's survey
In this
year's survey, the national average basic salary increased by 5.31%,
while the national average bonus fell by 15.93%. However, when salary
and bonus are added together, the national average shows a 4.60% increase
over last year. This is perhaps higher that might have been expected
for a period of financial restriction for Practices and may reflect
the increasing importance of income from Enhanced Services and alternative
sources such as Practice Based Commissioning. Indeed it may also be
influenced by the increasing number of Practice Managers becoming
Partners. In this year's survey, there are 325 Practice Managers earning
over £40,000 compared to 208 in last year's survey - an increase
of 56%.
Bonuses
The
reduction in the number of Practices paying bonuses and the significant
percentage changes in the average bonus amounts is especially notable
this year. 55% of Practices did not pay a bonus to their Managers,
compared to 44% last year. The greatest reduction in bonus payments
is in Practices with >14,000 list size. The most common bonuses
paid were £1,000 (67 Managers), and £2,000 (46 Managers).
Responsibilities
of the post of 'Practice Manager'
There
is of course the hugely vexed question of the responsibilities a post
carries, which has the title “Practice Manager”. We know
responsibilities range widely. While it was suggested to us that we
should first agree and define the responsibilities, we concluded that
this was simply not possible for our purposes, and so we simply based
the results on responses from those who carried the title “Practice
Manager” or similar.
We
hope you feel the results give some useful indicators.
Go
to the survey
UK
Practice Manager salary survey designed and collated by
David
Stephen (IT) Design for First Practice Management;
August 2007
