| October 2006 |
| The first extensive salary forecast for the new year predicts moderate increases across the board. |
| By Don Willmott |
There’s nothing like an optimistic salary forecast to take the chill off the first brisk days of autumn. The news from Robert Half Technology, a leading recruiter of both contract-based and full-time IT professionals, is that IT professionals can expect starting salaries to increase an average of 2.8% next year. The Robert Half Technology 2007 Salary Guide also finds that software developers, web developers, and data warehouse managers will do best of all.
In fact, it’s software developers who stand to lead the pack in salary gains. The Salary Guide expects base compensation to rise 5.1% to a range between $60,250 and $94,750. “A shortage of experienced software developers means companies are willing to pay top dollar to recruit and retain these professionals,” said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology, in a prepared statement. “Companies seek individuals who can enhance applications, and develop new software prototypes and solutions to satisfy customer demands.”
Base compensation for web developers is projected to increase 4.2%, to a range of $54,750 to $81,500. And data warehouse managers also should see starting salaries increase 4.2%, bringing them to the range of $85,500 to $113,500 “To attract top candidates, many companies are raising compensation levels for new hires to ensure their salaries remain competitive with their local markets, Lee said.”
The Salary Guide identifies several other positions that promise above-average salary increases in 2007:
- Project managers, up 4.1% to the range of $72,750 to $106,250.
- Quality assurance analysts, up 4.1% to the range of $52,250 to $74,500.
- Applications architects, up 4% to the range of $80.000 to $112,750.
- Network security administrators, up 3.7% to the range of $69,250 to $97,000.
Which industries are forecasting strong demand for IT workers next year? Robert Half Technology identifies financial and business services, insurance, technology, healthcare and manufacturing as the 2007 standouts.
But even if your exact job title or industry isn’t highlighted in the Salary Guide, there’s still reason for optimism in the new year. As Lee sees it, “Business expansion and increasing investments in technology continue to drive demand for highly skilled IT professionals.”
Don Willmott is a New York City-based journalist who focuses on Internet and technology trends.
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