No Pain, No Gain

The average fleet manager is no stranger to putting in extra hours on the clock when duty calls, and also taking the time to take on roles that might not necessarily be fleet related. The cogs in the machine of fleet management are often many, and making them all turn can be a challenge to say the least.

That’s what Automotive Fleet’s biennial Salary Survey found this year. Clearly, fleets are working harder than ever. In addition to fleet duties, some managers reported having to handle additional travel services, plan meetings, address personnel relocation, handle accounting tasks and human resources duties, etc. The list goes on and on.

Fortunately, the salary survey also found that the average salary for fleet managers has continued to rise over the years. But, for some, it hasn’t been enough. Many fleet managers who commented in the survey, in addition to having too many responsibilities beyond fleet, are having new responsibilities being added, and do not have enough help or hours available to successfully get through the day.

We preach this often, but having the team of a dedicated fleet management company help address problems and locate solutions for your operations will make a world of difference to how you manage your operations. Further still, participating and socializing in fleet events, like our upcoming 2019 Global Fleet Conference, will generate the kind of conversations that can help you learn from those who’ve experienced similar struggles. This all may sound old hat coming from us, but it always rings true.

Despite the trials and tribulations of your average fleet manager, there is a silver lining to those who have stuck with the industry and paid their dues. Naturally, fleets managers with a higher education and more years invested in the industry earn more, but those who are CAFM certified take the cake.

Not only did Automotive Fleet’s 2019 study find that CAFM-certified fleet managers make a higher average salary, but a Monster.com survey late last year found that fleet management professionals who have completed NAFA’s Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) program typically earn about a 27% higher salary than those who didn’t attain the certification. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Fortunately, underneath the endless piles of fleet paperwork and daily roadblocks that can make fleet a struggle often lays passion for the industry. As our readers regularly mention, their love for the industry helps to keep them going every day, ultimately making the struggle worthwhile. Pay is just icing on the cake.