Dissatisfaction among media buyers and planners over their salaries is on the rise, despite a media economy that's generally stronger - or, more likely, because of it.

Compared with six months ago, there has been a decline in salary satisfaction, according to a Media Life survey (via MediaBuyerPlanner). When asked how they rated their agency in terms of fairness in compensation, 48.3 percent of media people responded positively to the statement: "I am less than satisfied. Our agency is generous with more senior managers but is tight-fisted when it comes to salaries and benefits of junior staffers."

Last April, that number was at 43 percent. The number of those who were happy with their own salaries has also declined, from 41.1 percent in April to 35.5 percent. The biggest concern among buyers and planners - at 39 percent - seems to be that their salary "may be less than market value when compared with others of my experience level."

The topic of salary is the most important to media people (56 percent), according to the poll. Job flexibility came in second with 21.6 percent. Benefits came in third with 10.3 percent, and prestige was fourth with a tiny 2.1 percent.