BALTIMORE, Md. ?EUR??,,????'??+ The annual salary survey for grounds personnel, based on 2002 data, has been completed by members of the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS). The survey indicates that salaries have increased since last year, despite some rough times for the economy. The average hourly salary for superintendents/managers was $27.87, compared to $21.34 in 2001; the average hire rate was $21.95, compared to $17.21 in 2001. The average base salary for the respondents was $58,145. The average respondent had over 21.69 years in the profession, and has been in his or her present position for 11.2 years. Over 78 percent of the respondents had a horticulture or agriculture educational background; 16.4 percent had some postgraduate education. Seventy of 81 respondents indicate they receive some form of a life insurance benefit; 77 of 81 said they receive employer-provided health insurance. Non-PGMS members can obtain the two-page survey report for $15. Contact PGMS@assnhqtrs.com. PGMS was established in 1911. Most PGMS members are managers who work for colleges and universities, municipalities, park and recreation facilities, office parks, apartment complexes, hotels/motels, cemeteries, and theme parks. PGMS reports a worldwide membership of 1,200.