There’s more for industry professionals to be happy about than just the New Year, though. Indeed, this is an exciting time to be in the facility maintenance profession. Developments in technology and increased awareness of environmental quality, sustainability and cleaning for health have raised the profile, image and salaries of facility professionals.

For sure, more expertise is required to handle the technology that ensures energy efficiencies and staff productivity, but for those looking to break into the facility management profession, there’s no better time than now. A new salary survey shows that the facility management industry has an aging workforce and a jump in salaries for those entering the field, factors that bode well for the up-and-coming facility manager.

The Profiles 2007 Salary Report, based on a survey of facility professionals by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), showed that the base salary for those with less than four years experience rose nearly 13 percent from $56,000 in 2004 to $63,000 in 2007.

This, combined with the fact that the median age of facility managers (like mine) continues to rise — from 47 in 2004 to 49 this year — points to a workforce that is moving toward retirement and in need of young professionals.

“To enter this field and potentially be looking at a $63,000 salary speaks volumes about the value of the industry and what it can offer younger professionals,” said IFMA Associate Director of Research Shari Epstein. “Facility management is a growing field, yet there aren’t enough young workers to fill in for the larger group of facility managers who plan to retire in the next few years. This is good news for those considering entering the profession, as starting salaries are beginning to rise significantly.”

There’s good news for women, too. Though the number of young workers is declining, the majority of young people in the field are women. Eleven percent of female survey respondents were younger than 35 years old, compared to only 6 percent of their male counterparts. Similarly, 28 percent of women surveyed were 35 to 44 years old, as opposed to 24 percent of men.

As the workforce ages, younger workers are enjoying increased salaries, but they aren’t alone. While the data suggest substantial diversity in survey respondents, a typical facility management practitioner reported a total compensation of $86,000 in 2007, an increase from $77,505 in 2004.

Education level and certifications have a large impact on compensation. Survey respondents with a master’s degree or higher reported earning an average base pay of $96,750, up from $87,000 in 2004. Those with a bachelor’s degree reported a base pay of $82,000, an increase from $75,000 in 2004.

No doubt, these numbers are impressive, and I congratulate our readers and other industry professionals who enjoy the rewards of their hard work, playing such important roles in the lives of the people who occupy their buildings. They surely deserve to be healthy, wealthy and wise.

Speaking of which, Building Services Management would also like to congratulate Larry Shideler, founder of vacuum cleaner manufacturer ProTeam, Inc. on his recently announced retirement.

Shideler, who founded ProTeam in 1987, was instrumental in the development of the commercial backpack vacuum. After spending many years in the commercial cleaning industry, Shideler had extensive first-hand experience with the equipment and methods required for effective cleaning, and in 1983 created the first lightweight backpack vacuum made out of PVC pipe. Today, ProTeam manufactures 17 different vacuums for all cleaning applications.

After successfully launching the industry’s first commercial backpack vacuum, Shideler guided the development and refinement of Team Cleaning and Cleaning for Health. Pro-Team’s success has been driven largely by its resolve to educate the marketplace on better and more efficient cleaning while enhancing the health of all building occupants and the safety of its workers.

An industry icon, Shideler is a fine example of the innovation and genius that can be found in this industry.

Once again, Happy New Year.

Thanks, and good luck.