Golf Course Superintendent Salaries on the Rise

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) began tracking the salaries of member and non-member superintendents in 1993 through the GCSAA Compensation and Benefits Report. The newly released report shows that this profession is one to watch, as the trend of salary increases continues to rise.

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) report the average compensation for golf course superintendents is up 86 percent since 1993. Thus far this year, salaries are on the rise again with a 3.1 percent increase over the 2011 average.

Certified golf course superintendents (CGCSs) are those who have achieved the highest level of recognition through education, service and experience. Employers of GCSAA superintendents continue to reinforce the value they place in these individuals with increased salaries. The average salary for a golf course superintendent, including the 3.1 percent increase this year is $98,187.

"It is heartening to see such positive results from the compensation and benefits report because we all know economic challenges have forced facilities to make cuts in virtually every operational area in recent years," GCSAA President Pat Finlen, CGCS, director of golf at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, said. "I think it reinforces the value employers place in the golf course as a revenue generator and the GCSAA superintendent as a key member of the leadership team."

Additional data from the report speaks to the profile of GCSAA superintendents and their operations. Their average age is 46 years, with 15.4 years' experience as a superintendent. Tenure for their current position is 9.7 years, and they are responsible for an average of 21 employees. In terms of reporting structures, 36.1 percent of respondents report to general managers, 13.1 percent to an owner, 11.4 percent to a green committee/board and 7.7 percent to a director of golf.

GCSAA members who participated in the survey received free online access to the report. They may also purchase a hard copy for $25 by calling GCSAA at 800-472-7878. Non-participating members may purchase online access for $125, or both online access and a hard copy for $150. Non-members may purchase a hard copy for $525.

The GCSAA is a leading golf course management organization, which provides education, information and representation to 19,000 members in more than 72 countries.

For more information about and the GCSAA or the 2013 GCSAA Compensation and Benefits Report, please visit gcsaa.org.

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