2019 Pay rate Guide: HSS Western Region

Finding competitive pay rates is one of the most challenging aspects of maintaining an effective workforce. HSS is here to help with a guide that helps determine payrates in your state, region, and city.

How do we determine pay rates?

HSS consults with different sources and also relies on its field organization to determine competitive pay rates. Looking at sources such as Payscale and CareerBuilder, we combine research with actual pay in our markets. With more that 80 locations nationwide HSS has a live database to enhance existing data and determine what will be effective in the markets we serve. In addition, we have a dedicated corporate team tasked with investigating federal, state, and local laws and provide information on minimum wage increases.

Factors for Effective Calculations

There are many factors that impact pay rates and many factors particular to the hospitality industry. A few of these factors include:

• Experience
• Service Offering of Hotels
• Turnover Rate
• Geography
• Available Transportation

Many of these factors are particularly meaningful in California where regulations can often change the landscape of pay dramatically between local municipalities.

Big Players, Big Changes

When a large scale employers increases pay, this can have a dramatic impact on prevailing wages.  For example, when Amazon increased its minimum wage to $15 an hour nationwide, the impact on many markets large and small was significant.

The Cost of Poor Wage Calculations

While increased wages can seem like a challenge to keep up with, there is a silver lining.  Information can help determine an effective wage, reduce turnover and increase productivity.  Many of these factors are more costly to solve in turnover, loss of efficiency and low quality scores.  HSS recognizes the need for accurate pay rates in markets and uses this information to work with clients to supply the right level of staff at the right experience levels.