Survey: 33 percent of workers negotiate pay after job offers; in the low unemployment environment, many employers are willing

A robust job market — with even high-paying career positions going unfilled — appears to be pressuring employers to seriously negotiate both monetary and non-monetary compensation and perks. Although more people had searched for jobs in February — in a month that saw 56,000 new hires — the unemployment rate remained low, although somewhat up at 5.8%. [3] The previous month, January 2019, saw 67,000 new jobs and had a rate of 5.8% unemployment. [1]

Negotiation from prospective hires expected

This accounts, in part, for the willingness of prospective employees to hard-negotiate with employers.

In this environment, many prospective hires are pushing back with counter-offers on unfilled job positions. In the same survey, 65 % of senior managers expect back-and-forth negotiating on salary, with 53% willing to negotiate compensation.

The survey responses are in line with the competitive nature of the jobs market, with employers “bidding” on employees in some key areas. [2] Jobs often go unfilled even after the employer negotiates.

The most negotiable positions are “professionals” and certainly the top qualified candidates. Some negotiations are driven by scarcity — such as a shortage of long-haul drivers.

Based on our analysis of the COPS databased, the top 17 most in-demand positions from now until 2024 (Pivotal HR Report: story found here>>) are:

1. Registered Nurse: predicting 139,700 job openings, medium hourly wage $36
2. Truck Driver: predicting 135,900 job openings, median hourly wage $21
3. College or Vocational Instructors: 57,100 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $35
4. Business Management Consultant: 49,300 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $34.62
5. Welder: 30,800 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $35
6. Licensed Practical Nurse: 25,900 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $35
7. Occupational or Physiotherapy Therapist: 18,700 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $22
8. Software Engineer or Designer: 18,600 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $43.27
9. Aerospace Engineer: 14,300 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $42.79
10. Industrial Electrician: 12,500 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $33.50
11. Aircraft Pilot: 11,400 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $37
12. Pharmacist: 11,300 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $46.89
13. Psychologist: 10,000 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $40
14. Steamfitter or Pipefitter: 9,800 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $35
15. Construction Estimator: 6,600 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $29
16. Veterinary Technician or Assistant: 5,700 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $17.15
17. Dispensing Optician: 2,500 job openings predicted, median hourly wage: $23.08

NOTES

[1] Canada adds 67K new jobs in January but unemployment 5.8%
[2] The survey included responses from more than 500 workers, 18 years of age or older and 600 senior managers at companies with more than 20 employees. Canadian Payroll Reporter>>
[3] Global News: Canada adds nearly 56,000 full-time jobs in February.