Does Crain Communications pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Crain Communications employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.1 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Crain Communications. This rating has decreased by 2% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Crain Communications?

39% of Crain Communications employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Crain Communications 3.0 out of 5 for work life balance, 2.5 for culture and values and 2.6 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Crain Communications?

Reporter (19) , Editor (10) , Manager (10) , Account Executive (6) , Director (5) , Marketing (5) , Editorial (4) , Intern (4) , Journalist (4) , Senior Reporter (4) , Business Analyst (3) , Editorial Intern (3) , Project Manager (3) , Sales (3) , Ad Sales Director (2)

What are the pros of working at Crain Communications according to real employee reviews?

"great people to work with" ((in 29 reviews)); "Good income and benefits for someone starting their career in the business world." ((in 15 reviews)); "Good work life balance." ((in 11 reviews)); "Salaries are competitive." ((in 11 reviews)); "Approachable colleagues and superiors" ((in 11 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Crain Communications according to real employee reviews?

"Dying industry and poor management" ((in 21 reviews)); "Low pay and no chance for advancement" ((in 11 reviews)); "There are way too many managers to report to so there's a weird reporting structure." ((in 9 reviews)); "Continued cuts and layoffs across the board, though faring better than a lot of other news/trade pubs" ((in 9 reviews)); "Not a lot of room for advancement." ((in 7 reviews))

What are employees saying about Crain Communications layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Crain Communications layoffs and their outlook for job security at Crain Communications in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Crain Communications locations?

Detroit , New York , Chicago , Conway , Akron , Cleveland , Grand Rapids , Houston , Cuyahoga Falls , Mountain View , Farmington Hills , United States Coast Guard - Air Station Sacramento

Crain Communications reviews

2.8

39% would recommend to a friend

(292 total reviews)

KC Crain

47% approve of CEO

39% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (292 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Crain Communications has an employee rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars, based on 292 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Crain Communications employee rating is 25% below average for employers within the Media & Communication industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

292 reviews

3.0

Jan 11, 2012

Great place to learn, but little hope of longevity

Intern

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

You will definitely learn a great deal about journalism and about business in this environment, but don't pin your hopes on moving up the ladder, especially as the hiring is very slow. An internship is a good start, but it won't get you an "in." Use this time making good impressions and it may lead to an entry-level position which will get you an "in." They hire from their pool of entry-level positions, so do good work and be willing to learn, make suggestions, and challenge the way things have always been done.

Cons

Sometimes they don't appreciate really good workers, and cut out positions regardless of the need within a department. But compared with elsewhere in the industry, especially non-trade pubs, it's not so bad.

4.0

Dec 6, 2011

A company that treated its employees fairly in a very difficult time for the industry.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Some very bright managers just below the ownership level.

Cons

Inability to evolve to meet changing market conditions.

3.0

Nov 22, 2011

The Best of Times and The Worst of Times

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Rance Crain is a class act, too bad he is not the real CEO. A really good finance team, with a great budgeting system. A profit sharing system in good years. A little pension plan, (great if you are a Crain lifer)

Cons

In May 2009 implemented a 10% pay cut they held in place for 15 months killed morale. The company also drove out some really good talent due to personality conflicts. Never seemed to have stability in the Audience Development department, compared to other cross departments . The company plays it's favorites, and in recent years it has lost very "good" talent due to mismangement. Also many executives/publishers are very arrogant when they do not need to be.

Viewing 277 - 279 of 292 Reviews

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