IT Pros to See Small Pay Boosts This Year

IT workers will likely see a pay bump of around 2.8 percent in 2012, according to Computer Economics, a group that provides data for IT management.

The group’s “2012 IT Salary Report” pegged 2.8 percent as the average pay boost. Even companies eyeing higher increases are expected to max out at around 3 percent, says the report. But those in the lower tier are anticipating pay bumps of only 1.8 percent this year.

Though certainly better than no raises at all, even a 3 percent boost would fail to keep up with the rate of inflation, which was 3.4 percent last year as measured by the Consumer Price Index. Overall, the pay increases will stay fairly consistent across all job types and levels, according to the report.

Of course, these projections are based on the economy and job market slumping along for another year as it’s done the past few years. If the economy manages to improve, workers will certain expect higher pay from their employers, putting pressure on companies to respond in kind if they want to hang onto their core IT staffers.

Even now, more skilled and in-demand IT workers are leaving their jobs voluntarily in search of better wages. After falling to almost 2 percent in 2012, the percentage of IT workers leaving their jobs rose to 4 percent last year and is forecast to hit 5 percent this year, a level seen just before the recession in 2008.

“Developers with skills in mobile app development will remain in tight supply, as will those with experience in supporting infrastructure virtualization,” noted the report. “In the IT world, there are always skill shortages in the growth technologies, and many IT organizations have no choice but pay up for those skills or turn to service providers for in-demand expertise—and pay a premium.”

While 2011 ended with an overall unemployment rate of 8.5, employment by tech firms inched up more than 2 percent for the year. Overall, the report points to “modest” improvements in the job market this year, but general hiring by IT organizations will remain sluggish, particularly among larger enterprises.

Computer Economics’ report is based on a fourth-quarter survey of more than 130 U.S.-based IT organizations. Though the full report costs $395, you can download a free 26-page excerpt with details on specific IT jobs.

The report offers the same message we’ve heard in the past. Though stronger than other sectors, IT hiring overall will be challenged for at least another year, assuming the economy continues to sputter along. But as always, those with the right expertise and experience will remain in demand and should be able to secure good jobs and opportunities.

IT workers looking to beef up their skills in high-growth areas should take advantage of any educational and training benefits offered by their current employer. In an environment where wages fail to rise substantially, education is often one of the few core benefits still provided by companies, and one that all IT workers should capitalize on.

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