· expect a cut. Optimism is highest in lower-income Asian countries, where 55% of respondents expect a raise of 10% or greater, and 22% expect a 20% raise or greater in 2015. In

THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR OPTICS AND PHOTONICS

www.SPIECareerCenter.org

THE 2015 OPTICS & PHOTONICS GLOBAL SALARY REPORT IS SPONSORED BY SPIE CAREER CENTER

The International Society for Optics and Photonics SPIE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS PO Box 10 Bellingham, WA 98227-0010 USA Tel: +1 360 676 3290 / Fax: +1 360 647 1445 [email protected] / www.SPIE.org

SPIE EUROPE OFFICES 2 Alexandra Gate Ffordd Pengam, Cardiff, CF24 2SA UK Tel: +44 29 2089 4747 / Fax: +44 29 2089 4750 [email protected] / www.SPIE.org

FOR QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR SUGGESTIONS, CONTACT REPORT AUTHOR ADAM RESNICK AT :[email protected]

2015 OPTICS & PHOTONICS

GLOBAL SALARY REPORT•


Key Findings • The median salary for survey respondents is $64,000.1 Salaries are very widely dispersed,

primarily driven by country income level and employer type. The overall median salary is down from $73,000 last year, mainly due to large declines of the euro and yen against the dollar.2

• Salaries paid in Chinese yuan have risen by 33% since 2012 versus 5% increases in euro, dollar, and yen earnings.

• 55% of workers in lower-income Asian countries expect a raise of 10% or greater in 2015. Only 10% of higher-income Europeans and 11% of North Americans expect raises of that size.

• The highest-paid discipline is aerospace, with a median income of $105,433.

• Median salaries are 41% higher overall for men than for women, with the largest gap occurring late-career. 49% of women feel that they are paid fairly, versus 57% of men.

• For-profit respondents prioritize team success, while academic and government respondents place highest value on scientific discovery.

• Survey respondents are highly satisfied with their jobs overall: 85% enjoy their work, 86% find their work meaningful, and 90% respect the work of their peers.

• 37% of workers in higher-income Asian countries work 50 or more hours per week. 28% of Romanian workers report working 55 or more hours per week, the largest percentage of any country.

DISTRIBUTION OF SALARIES

1

$1,000,000$100,000$10,000$1,000

500

400

300

200

100

0

Median = $64,000Mean = $78,500Standard Deviation = $66,000n = 5,875Log scale

BackgroundSPIE distributed the fifth annual Optics and Photonics Global Salary Survey in February 2015. It is the largest survey of its kind in the global optics and photonics community, providing data on the full breadth of employment and compensation patterns across regions, disciplines, and types of organizations.

SPIE sent survey invitations via email to its global database. Just under 6,000 valid responses were gathered from 100 countries.3 91% of participants are located in North America, Europe, and Asia. Respondents from Latin America/Caribbean, the Middle East, Oceania, and Africa account for the balance of data. This year’s report places special emphasis on women in optics and photonics, with deeper exploration of their demographics and more detailed breakdown of earnings.

Overall median salaries declined from $73,000 last year to $64,000 this year. A 20% decline in the value of the euro compared to the U.S. dollar is the primary factor behind this decline, coupled with declining real wages paid in British pounds.

For a complete list of participant countries and other details on survey methodology, please see page 21.

2

SURVEY RESPONSES BY REGION

38.0%34.3%

3.3%

1.2%

3.0% 18.9%

1.3%

NORTH AMERICA38.0%

EUROPE34.3%

ASIA18.9%

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN3.3%

MIDDLE EAST3.0%

AFRICA1.2%

OCEANIA 1.3%

Country OverviewThe countries represented in the survey represent a broad range of incomes, work habits, and levels of job satisfaction. Workers in United States, Switzerland, and Israel enjoy the highest median salaries.

Country Median Salary Work 55 or more hours per week "I enjoy my work"

United States(n=2072) $113,000 12% 84%

Switzerland (n=62) $104,523 3% 85%

Israel (n=62) $87,287 12% 97%

Australia (n=66) $84,818 15% 86%

South Korea (n=141) $71,071 16% 79%

Canada (n=157) $70,874 7% 92%

Netherlands (n=87) $70,046 5% 89%

Japan (n=215) $69,876 17% 75%

Germany (n=383) $68,985 8% 86%

Sweden (n=47) $65,685 13% 86%

Belgium (n=58) $63,678 4% 85%

Austria (n=25) $61,208 4% 84%

United Kingdom (n=250)

$59,475 6% 87%

Singapore (n=52) $57,940 13% 81%

South Africa (n=27) $48,889 0% 92%

France (n=161) $47,759 4% 86%

Taiwan (n=121) $42,709 11% 80%

Italy (n=276) $42,452 4% 87%

Spain (n=146) $42,452 4% 90%

Portugal (n=26) $41,232 8% 81%

Brazil (n=78) $34,124 1% 93%

Mexico (n=60) $28,739 2% 95%

Malaysia (n=30) $27,399 20% 90%

Turkey (n=51) $25,478 10% 86%

Greece (n=25) $23,349 8% 96%

Czech Republic (n=34) $23,314 15% 94%

Poland (n=62) $20,489 7% 86%

China, Peoples Republic of (n=324) $19,161 17% 82%

India (n=137) $11,523 13% 91%

Russia (n=143) $11,423 10% 82%

Romania (n=25) $10,748 28% 92%

Ukraine (n=27) $3,721 19% 76%

Table includes all countries with a sample size of 25 or more.

MEDIAN SALARY, HIGH WORKLOAD, AND JOB SATISFACTION BY COUNTRY

Israel, Greece, and Mexico are at the top of the job satisfaction scale, with 95% or more of their respondents saying that they enjoy their work. Romania tops the list for heavy workload, with 28% of respondents reporting that they work 55 hours or more per week.

In comparison to broader populations within surveyed countries, the optics and photonics community fares quite well. For example, the median earnings of Dutch survey participants is $70,046 versus the average for the general population at $55,206. In the Czech Republic, survey participants earn $23,314 versus $15,266 for the country.4

3

Job Satisfaction A significant majority of the optics and photonics community is highly satisfied with core aspects of its working life. 90% respect the work of their peers, 86% find their work meaningful, and 85% enjoy their work. Majorities are also satisfied with their pay, their supervisors, and the positive recognition they receive, with 79% agreeing with the statement “I love my work and I feel fortunate to get paid for doing it.”

Regarding the challenges they face in the workplace, one third of respondents consider themselves overworked, while 35% agree that there are “good opportunities for promotion” within their organizations.

JOB SATISFACTION

79% love their work and feel fortunate to get paid for doing it.

4

Strongly AgreeAgree

0 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

I work too many hours each week

I have good opportunities for promotion within my organization

I am paid fairly for the work I do

I receive proper recognition from my superiors

I love my work and I feel fortunate to get paid for doing it

I enjoy my work

My work is meaningful

I respect the work of my peers

PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS EXPECTING A RAISE IN 2015, BY REGION

Wage Growth and ExpectationsWages have grown for four of the five largest currency groups, with median salaries paid in Chinese yuan growing 33% since 2012.5 Workers paid in dollars, euro, or yen enjoyed growth of 5-6% over the same time period, while recipients of British pounds saw a 5% decline. These results mirror general economic conditions in these countries.6

5

CHANGE IN MEDIAN SALARIES, 2012–15

Regarding future expectations, 67% of respondents expect a raise in 2015, 27% expect no change, while 6% expect a cut. Optimism is highest in lower-income Asian countries, where 55% of respondents expect a raise of 10% or greater, and 22% expect a 20% raise or greater in 2015. In lower-income Europe, 35% of respondents expect a wage cut, possibly due to instability in Ukraine.7

0 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Europe, lower income

Europe, higher income

Africa

Asia, higher income

Middle East

Oceania

Latin America and the Caribbean

North America

Asia, lower income

Expect a 1–4% raise

Expect a 5–9% raise

Expect a raise of 10% or more

80

100

120

140

2012 2013

United States dollar

Euro

Chinese yuan

British pound

Japanese yen

2014 2015

2012 = 100

Workload Most survey respondents work between 40 and 50 hours per week (63%), while just under a quarter spend more than 50 hours per week at their jobs (23%). Higher workloads align with higher salaries except for those working 60 hours or more per week.

HOURS WORKED PER WEEK

MEDIAN SALARY BY HOURS WORKED PER WEEK

6

0 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

60 hours or more

55–59 hours

50–54 hours

45–49 hours

40–44 hours

35–39 hours

30–34 hours

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000

60 hours or more

55–59 hours

50–54 hours

45–49 hours

40–44 hours

35–39 hours

30–34 hours

$74,291

$84,000

$82,422

$72,712

$61,116

$51,186

$30,000

PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS WORKING 50 HOURS OR MORE PER WEEK

Respondents from higher-income Asian countries spend the most time in their offices and labs, with 37% working 50 hours or more per week and only 5% working less than 40 hours per week.

Median salary is highest for respondents working 55–59 hours per week.

7

0 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Africa




Oceania

North America

Middle East

Asia, lower income

Asia, higher income

Employer Type Median salaries at for-profit companies are well above those in government and academic sectors, though some subcategories defy the general pattern.8 The relationship holds in most geographic regions, with the largest gap in Africa, where for-profit salaries are 207% above those at academic organizations. The standout exception is Latin America and the Caribbean, where academic median salaries are higher than at for-profits.

MEDIAN SALARY BY EMPLOYER TYPE

Region For-profit Government/Military AcademicFor-profit vs.

Academic

Africa $38,581 $46,852 $12,566 207%

Middle East $74,817 $59,854 $29,660 152%


$13,006 $5,778 $6,375 104%

Asia, lower income $31,042 $19,161 $15,968 94%

North America $120,000 $110,000 $76,322 57%


$68,985 $47,759 $46,697 48%

Oceania $108,831 $84,603 $76,912 42%

Asia, higher income $67,517 $62,187 $52,200 29%


$23,091 $35,640 $33,911 –32%

MEDIAN SALARY BY REGION: FOR-PROFIT, GOVERNMENT/MILTARY, AND ACADEMIC EMPLOYERS

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000

University/college (n=1898) $46,000

Other research institute (n=97) $46,000

Government laboratory or research institute (n=979) $50,000

Private laboratory or research institute (n=107) $56,249

Civilian government (n=99) $73,724

Not-for-profit organization (n=144) $75,000

Company/corporation (n=2317) $90,000

Military/defense (n=159) $92,390

Self-employed/consultant (n=40) $100,000

8

HEAVY WORKLOADS AT FOR-PROFIT, ACADEMIC, AND GOVERNMENT/MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS

Academics work the most hours, with 30% working fifty or more hours per week. Government/military workers spend less time on the job, with 20% working fifty or more hours per week.

Percentage working 55 or more hours

Percentage working 50-54 hours

0 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Government/military

For-Profit

Academic

HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR CURRENT POSITION?

Networking or referral through personal contact 22%

I was recruited 18%

Online job advertisement 17%

I contacted the employer directly (no job was advertised) 12%

Printed job advertisement (newspaper or journal) 8%

University career o�ce 8%

Professional association 4%

Other 4%

In-person job fair 3%

Public/government placement agency 2%

Alumni network 2%

Private placement agency 1%

9

WOMEN IN OPTICS AND PHOTONICS•

Women make up 16% of the respondents to the survey, roughly mirroring their representation in SPIE membership and at SPIE meetings. Women earn less than men overall, with respective median salaries of $48,254 and $68,254.

The largest wage differences are associated with Middle Eastern and higher-income Asian

countries, employment at not-for-profit organizations, and employment of thirty or more years.

Wage gaps persist in most demographic subsets of the data, though there are some exceptions.

For instance, women earn more than men in four out of twelve job-level categories, particularly

as academic deans or provosts.

Women respondents are younger, with 40% of female respondents under 36 years old versus

27% of men. They are more heavily represented in biomedical disciplines and academic

institutions than their male counterparts.

Biomedical/m

edical/

biology/biophysics/

biotechnology

TOP 10 PRIMARY DISCIPLINES FOR WOMEN

WOMEN

MEN

12% 8% 8% 7% 6% 6% 6% 5% 5% 5%

8% 7% 7% 8% 5% 8% 6% 5% 6% 3%

Physics

Optical systems

Photonics

Other

Semiconductor

Remote sensing

Astronomy/

astrophysics

Lasers

Materials

49%57%

GENDER DISTRIBUTION BY AGE

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION BY GENDER

GENDER DISTRIBUTION BY ORGANIZATION TYPE

PAID FAIRLY?Women and men report similar levels of job satisfaction in all but one area—57% of men feel that they are paid fairly versus 49% of women.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

61 or older56 to 6546 to 6036 to 4526 to 3525 or younger0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Self-employed/

consultant

Private laboratory or

research institute

Military/defense

Civilian government

Other research

institute

Not-for-p

rofit

organization

Company/corporatio

n

University/c

ollege

Government laboratory

or research instit

ute

MEN

WOMEN

Women Region Men

39% North America 38%

33% Europe, lower-income

33%

11% Asia, lower-income

9%

5% Asia, higher-income

10%

3% Latin America & Caribbean

3%

2% Europe, higher-income

1%

2% Middle East 3%

2% Africa 1%

2% Oceania 1%

Women Men

MEDIAN SALARY BY GENDER AND REGION

MEDIAN SALARY BY GENDER AND EMPLOYER TYPE

12

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000

Africa(Wage Gap -29%)

Oceania(Wage Gap 1%)

Europe, lower income(Wage Gap 8%)

Latin America and the Caribbean(Wage Gap 9%)

Asia, lower income(Wage Gap 20%)

Europe, higher income(Wage Gap 26%)

North America(Wage Gap 45%)

Asia, higher income(Wage Gap 51%)

Middle East(Wage Gap 234%)

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000

Other research institute(Wage Gap 10%)

Private laboratory or research institute(Wage Gap 14%)

Military/defense(Wage Gap 16%)

University/college(Wage Gap 17%)

Government laboratory or research institute(Wage Gap 24%)

Civilian government(Wage Gap 37%)

Company/corporation(Wage Gap 44%)

Not-for-profit organization(Wage Gap 55%)

WOMEN IN OPTICS AND PHOTONICS CONT•

WomenMen

MEDIAN SALARY BY GENDER AND YEARS EMPLOYED

MEDIAN SALARY BY GENDER AND JOB LEVEL

13

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000

Less than 5 years(Wage Gap 8%)

11-15 years(Wage Gap 13%)





More than 30 years(Wage Gap 114%)

Job Level Women Men Wage Gap

Academic Dean or Provost (n=6W+22M) $112,953 $92,263 –22%

Director (n=17W+270M) $135,847 $120,000 –13%

Vice-president (n=6W+79M) $152,500 $141,747 –8%

Instructor or Adjunct Professor (n=26W+77M)

$37,022 $36,084 –3%

Postdoc (n=156W+497M) $38,503 $42,000 +8%

Assistant or Associate Professor (n=160W+660M)

$31,715 $38,058 +17%

Supervisor/Manager (n=8W+532M)

$74,291 $90,664 +18%

Technician/Operator/Lab Tech (n=42W+200M) $32,370 $40,378 +20%

Staff (n=219W+746M) $53,065 $68,251 +22%

Lead/Senior Level (n=144W+1104M) $70,500 $92,445 +24%

Full Professor (n=69W+452M) $42,992 $74,291 +42%

C-level/Senior Executive (n=13W+140M) $67,000 $146,844 +54%

MEDIAN SALARY BY PRIMARY DISCIPLINE

Discipline Aerospace and semiconductor disciplines enjoy the highest median earnings, at $105,433 and $88,838, respectively. Remote sensing falls at the opposite end of the spectrum, with a median salary of $47,951.

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000

Remote sensing (n=332)

Computer science/software/information technology (n=297)

Nanotechnology (n=162)

Physics (n=448)

Photonics (n=483)

Electrical/electronics (n=300)

Civil/environmental (n=35)

Mechanical (n=88)

Materials (n=191)

Biomedical/medical/biology/biophysics/biotechnology (n=511)

Interdisciplinary engineering or research (n=247)

Other (n=293)

Chemical (n=106)

Lasers (n=366)

Optical systems (n=438)

Illumination (n=37)

Optical design (n=150)

Astronomy/astrophysics (n=299)

Systems engineering or research (n=169)

Manufacturing (n=222)

Semiconductor (n=429)

Aerospace (n=254)

$47,951

$48,601

$50,943

$52,022

$53,065

$53,065

$54,813

$59,990

$60,992

$61,530

$62,449

$65,000

$66,969

$68,000

$68,823

$68,985

$70,237

$74,291

$75,000

$79,902

$88,838

$105,433

The two most important factors driving salary gaps across disciplines are employment sector and country income level. The highest-paying disciplines have much higher representation at for-profit companies: the top three disciplines by pay (aerospace, semiconductor, and manufacturing) have 675 people at for-profits versus 128 in government/military and 61 working in academia.

Within for-profit organizations, the range of median salaries is $65,938–$115,000. For government/military organizations, the range is $22,887–$96,648. At academic organizations, the range is $31,839–$84,000. For-profit pay is highest in every discipline.

14

Country income level has a similar impact on median salaries of optics and photonics disciplines. In the highest-paid category, aerospace, 244 out of 254 workers are located in higher-income countries.

MEDIAN SALARY BY DISCIPLINE: FOR-PROFIT, GOVERNMENT/MILITARY, AND ACADEMIC EMPLOYERS

Discipline For-profitGovernment/

MilitaryAcademic

Aerospace $115,000 $96,648 $42,666

Interdisciplinary engineering or research

$110,000 $62,803 $47,988

Remote sensing $106,065 $49,940 $31,839

Biomedical/medical/biology/biophysics/biotechnology

$101,885 $48,500 $48,331

Photonics $96,025 $33,132 $45,699

Semiconductor $95,259 $53,065 $49,977

Systems engineering or research

$95,000 $68,000 $45,165

Astronomy/astrophysics $93,006 $60,000 $84,000

Chemical $92,500 $51,186 $55,262

Nanotechnology $90,000 $41,391 $38,207

Other $89,607 $55,718 $47,759

Physics $88,700 $50,943 $51,492

Electrical/electronics $88,518 $52,146 $37,459

Lasers $85,000 $56,113 $39,074

Optical systems $84,952 $62,055 $38,152

Illumination $84,904 $25,029 $49,881

Materials $82,422 $41,922 $47,455

Optical design $82,260 $58,372 $44,930

Manufacturing $82,000 $67,177 $39,146

Computer science/software/information technology

$70,554 $56,780 $41,791

Mechanical $66,942 $22,887 $41,704

Civil/environmental $65,938 $62,187 $33,420

15

Defining SuccessRespondents were asked the question “How do you define success in your career?” then asked to rank their top three choices.9 Team success, academic discovery, and professional recognition are the top three overall choices. Academics and government/military workers placed “advancing scientific discovery” at the top of their rankings, while for-profit respondents ranked it eighth. For-profit and government/military workers both place high priority on “The success of my team or work group.”

DEFINITION OF SUCCESS ALL ACADEMIC FOR-PROFIT GOVERNMENT/MILITARY

The success of my team or work group 1 5 1 2

Advancing scientific discovery 2 1 7 1

High level of recognition in my field (awards, reputation, invited speaking)

3 2 5 3

Leading my organization to success 4 9 2 5

Product innovation 5 10 3 8Amount of pay 6 8 4 9The success of people I have taught or mentored

7 4 8 10

Leaving the world a better place 8 7 6 6

Winning contracts, grants, funding 9 6 9 7

Publishing record 10 3 10 4

16

“Advancing scientific discovery” is ranked highest for academics and government/military workers.

17

Region North America and Oceania10 stand out as the regions with the highest salaries, with median earnings well above other areas. North American median incomes are 74% greater than higher-income Asian countries and more than double higher-income European countries. A large portion of regional income gaps is explained by the level of economic development of countries within each area and by the recent declines of the euro and yen against the dollar.11

MEDIAN SALARY BY REGION

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000

Europe, lower income (n=86) $6,744

Africa (n=72) $17,067

Asia, lower income (n=561) $17,904

Latin America and the Caribbean (n=194) $31,895

Middle East (n=176) $47,268

Europe, higher income (n=1923) $53,065

Asia, higher income (n=548) $63,130

Oceania (n=74) $84,603

North America (n=2229) $110,000

18

Other Factors Other factors that influence salary include job level, job role, and years employed. Top organizational leaders enjoy the highest salaries, while instructors and writer/editors anchor the bottom of the range.

MEDIAN SALARY BY JOB LEVEL

0 $30,000 $60,000 $90,000 $120,000 $150,000

Instructor or Adjunct Professor (n=103) $36,084

Assistant or Associate Professor (n=832) $37,159

Technician/Operator/Lab Tech (n=242) $40,000

Postdoc (n=662) $41,391

Sta� (n=976) $63,861

Full Professor (n=528) $65,301

Supervisor/Manager (n=623) $85,799

Lead/Senior Level (n=1258) $90,000

Academic Dean or Provost (n=28) $99,085

Director (n=289) $120,000

C-level/Senior Executive (n=156) $140,000

Vice-president (n=89) $145,000

19

MEDIAN SALARY BY JOB ROLE

MEDIAN SALARY BY YEARS EMPLOYED

0 $30,000 $60,000 $90,000 $120,000 $150,000

Writer/Editor (n=13) $43,000

Basic Research/Science (n=968) $47,759

College Professor/Educator (n=764) $48,855

Technical/Lab (n=183) $50,793

Administrative (n=86) $51,120

Applied Research (n=1172) $54,063

Purchasing (n=22) $63,137

Other (n=123) $66,910

Doctor/Clinician (n=36) $68,329

Marketing (n=86) $74,236

Consultant (n=57) $76,946

Application/Product Development (n=332) $78,642

Recruiting/HR/Training (n=14) $79,024

Engineering/Design (n=1039) $80,000

Production/Manufacturing (n=110) $81,211

Sales (n=165) $90,000

Project/Program Management (n=295) $90,000

Business Development (n=114) $100,000

Executive/Leadership (n=278) $128,678

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000

More than 30 years (n=872) $100,412

26-30 years (n=580) $101,443

21-25 years (n=650) $90,000

16-20 years (n=707) $75,353

11-15 years (n=851) $60,000

5-10 years (n=1072) $50,593

Less than 5 years (n=1002) $42,500

Contact Lacey Barnett: +1 360 685 5551, [email protected]

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Methodology and Endnotes In February 2015, SPIE sent email survey invitations to a large subset of its global customer database. Response was voluntary and open. An iPad raffle, International Year of Light prizes, and early access to this report were offered as incentives to encourage participation. Surveys were completed online using SurveyGizmo’s enterprise survey tool. Results were filtered to yield 5,875 valid responses. Any response lacking salary data was removed, as were duplicates and responses from students, the part-time employed, and unemployed. Microsoft Excel and SPSS were utilized to create summary statistics and related disaggregations.

ENDNOTES: 1. U.S. dollars are used throughout. Local currencies were converted using March 2015 market exchange rates. Salary

figures include total yearly compensation, both base pay and bonuses.

2. Yen traded at 102 to the dollar on 1 March 2014, versus 120 to the dollar a year later (18% decline). For euro, the exchange rate moved from 0.73 euro to the dollar to 0.89 (22% decline).

3. United States (2072), Germany (383), Peoples Republic of China (324), Italy (276), United Kingdom (250), Japan (215), France (161), Canada (157), Spain (146), Russia (143), South Korea (141), India (137), Taiwan (121), Netherlands (87), Brazil (78), Australia (66), Israel, Poland, and Switzerland (62), Mexico (60), Belgium (58), Singapore (52), Turkey (51), Sweden (47), Czech Republic (34), Malaysia (30), South Africa and Ukraine (27), Portugal (26), Austria, Greece, and Romania (25), Ireland (24), Chile (23), Finland and Pakistan (22), Algeria and Denmark (21), Egypt and Hong Kong (19), Lithuania and Norway (15), Colombia and Saudi Arabia (14), Argentina, Indonesia, and Slovak Republic (11), Slovenia and Thailand (10), Armenia and Bulgaria (9), Hungary and New Zealand (8), Belarus and Latvia (7), Estonia, Serbia, Tunisia, and United Arab Emirates (6), Cyprus and Iraq (5), Bangladesh, Iran, Jordan, Nigeria, and Philippines (4), Luxembourg, Moldova, and Oman (3), Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Georgia, Ghana, Haiti, Malta, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe (2), Angola, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Gambia, The Holy See, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, FYR, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, North Korea, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Sudan (1).

4. Data for broader populations within countries are average annual wages per full-time and full-year equivalent employees in the total economy, 2013 USD exchange rates and constant prices, from https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=AV_AN_WAGE. Retrieved 24 March 2015.

5. Yearly growth was computed by comparing same-currency results for each year in order to correct for differences due to exchange rate fluctuations.

6. See “The Future of Factory Asia, A Tightening Grip,” The Economist, 14 March 2015 for a discussion of rising wages and labor costs in China. See Szu Ping Chan, “Britons Suffer ‘Unprecedented’ Fall in Real Wages,” The Telegraph, 1 May 2014 for information on declines in British pay.

7. Chinese workers account for 324 of 561 in lower-income Asian countries, while Indians account for 137. Of the 86 lower-income European respondents, 27 work in Ukraine and 25 in Romania.

8. The category “for-profit” is composed of company/corporation and self-employed/consultant. “Academic” is composed of university/college and other research institute. “Government/military” is composed of government lab or research institute, civilian government, and military/defense.

9. The original wordings of responses to “How do you define success in your career?” were shortened to accommodate layout. Team success = The success of my team or work group; Scientific discovery = Advancing scientific discovery; Recognition = High level of recognition in my field (awards, reputation, invited speaking); Mentoring Success = The success of people I have taught or mentored; Publishing = Publishing record; Contracts/grants = Winning contracts, grants, funding; Better world = Leaving the world a better place; Organization’s Success = Leading my organization to success; Pay = Amount of pay; Product innovation = Product innovation.

10. Australia and New Zealand.

11. Europe and Asia are composed of countries spanning a wide range of income levels, even when subdivided into higher- and lower-income groups. For example, the European higher-income category includes Ukraine and Norway, at $3,960 and $102,610 per capita Gross National Income (GNI), respectively.

Higher- and lower-income subcategories are based on the World Bank’s threshold for high-income countries, $12,746 per capita GNI. This threshold is used throughout this report when referring to “higher-income” and “lower-income” countries.

For data on per capita GNI, see http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.CD/countries. For World Bank country income categories, see http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications

For a discussion of euro and yen exchange rate movement, see Roger Blitz, “Euro’s Decline Triggers Talk of Dollar Parity,” Financial Times, 9 March 2015 and Daniel Bases, “Yen Slammed by BoJ Easing, Falls to Near-seven Year Low,” Reuters, 31 October 2014.

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· expect a cut. Optimism is highest in lower-income Asian countries, where 55% of respondents expect a raise of 10% or greater, and 22% expect a 20% raise or greater in 2015. In