5/3/2001 -- According to Lotus, the average compensation for Certified Lotus Professionals (CLPs) has risen 20 percent over the last two years.

In its 2000 CLP Salary Survey, released this week, the company said that the average annual compensation for those certified by Lotus is $82,000. CLPs make $85,000 per year, Principal Certified Lotus Professionals (PCLPs) make $87,000 and Certified Lotus Instructors (CLIs) make $92,000. Lotus reports that these figures are 20 percent higher than those in its 1998 survey.

The amounts cited above include bonuses and other compensation. According to the report, the typical Lotus-certified professional makes $70,000 in base salary and $12,000 in other compensation (such as bonuses, profit sharing, etc.). CLSs make $60,000 base salary and $8,000 in bonuses, and those with CLP certification make more than $70,000 in base salary and nearly $15,000 in bonuses and other compensation.

The survey was conducted in 2000, using responses from 4,000 CLPs worldwide. For complete results, including demographic and geographical breakdowns (including international), click here . -B.N.