The majority of charity communications workers have had their pay frozen this year, but on average senior staff in the department have seen it soar by 16 per cent according to a recent survey.

The Charity Marketing and Communications Salary Survey 2013 found that of the 385 respondents, 63 per cent reported no change in their salary, while 20 per cent saw a reduction. However 17 per cent said their salaries increased from 2012 to 2013. 

The responses put this year's average salary across the department at £34,468, with assistants and coordinators (the lowest rung) receiving £22,850 annually and directors (at the top rung) on £56,517. And while the former group saw an increase of just 1 per cent, directors' salaries were boosted by 16 per cent. Managers and officers, however saw decreases, at 7 and 4 per cent respectively.

TPP Not for Profit, which provided the survey in association with CharityComms, said that the average salary increase was a "modest" 2 per cent, and that due to a "highly competitive market, where charities are still struggling to find funding and there are plenty of jobseekers available, this seems unlikely to change".

However, those working in brand management have little to complain about, the survey suggests, gleaning the most pay and an average salary increase of 26 per cent. Those working in brand management, a specialism only available at a senior level, saw an average salary increase from £40,480 to £51,111 this year. This is in contrast with those working in digital, online, or social media roles which decreased from a £33,505 average to £30,666.

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