IT workers apparently swimming in cash
Friday, 6 June 2008
There's been another survey done by a recruitment company that shows all us IT workers are doing extremely well. It said some jobs are even paying 20-30% more than a year ago.
"Nearly two in 10 employers offered between 6% and 10% more cash to IT workers than a year ago, while 12% offered more than a 10% rise," IT Wire reports. "Nearly half of those surveyed upped IT salaries in line with other industries, between 3% and 6%. None offered less money. Typical system architect salaries rose from $125,000 to $140,000 in Sydney, and from $100,000 to $$120,000 in Canberra. Voice engineers that were commanding $90,000 a year in Sydney and Melbourne can now move jobs for a $120,000 pay packet."
As long as I've been running this site, these types of surveys have been coming out. Even in the depths of the bust, there was all sorts of research showing "skills shortages" and "spiralling rates".
Now, I'm not saying these kinds of reports are false. Indeed, I'm sure they've put a lot more effort into gathering the data than I have.
But I do know quite a lot of IT people who work in a few different places in Australia's biggest market - Sydney. And to be honest, it's been years since I heard anyone boasting about getting a big pay rise. Those whose rates I do know have stayed stagnant to below inflation over the past few years.
Of course, pretty much all of them are very well paid. But talk of ballooning rates always surprises me, because I'm just not seeing it in the circles I move in.
I also check Seek pretty regularly and talk to a lot of agents. Neither of those sources seem to indicate booming pay rises either.
What I have noticed is employers getting more demanding by the year about what level of skills they expect new hires to have. This indicates them expecting more value for their dollar. Not that there's anything wrong with that, if that's what they feel they can get. And many of them these days seem to, which again seems at odds with the research.
Read the full story at IT Wire.
Paul Knapp (editor@brainbox.com.au)
Articles and advice on brainbox are for general interest only. You should never act upon anything you see here without first seeking professional advice. Please see our Terms & Conditions for full details.
smoke n mirrorsOf course there was no mention of the actual employment prospects of "new" (2000-present) ICT graduates in the market, much less the "rising" salaries. Typical of all good distractions - of little substance. Starving, 06/06/2008 11:29:37 PM
Macca's cash = my pateWell if this is true then I expect a pay rise as well. Seen the price of petrol lately? Wine? Pate? Edam? Bloody outrageous. And it's time great leopard contributed to my lifestyle as well - darn Aussie job taker that s/he is. UnemployedITer, 06/08/2008 12:07:36 AM
DreamerUnemployedITer wish in dreams only. Leopard cashs not for donate. Need try midnight coding work hards play hards. Great Leopard, 06/08/2008 01:22:02 AM
pay from the pastI remember $65K was a top IT salary in late 1990's. compared to today its about same as $120k. Price of living has trippled in some areas. Houses 1995 = 120k to 150k now 500K plus Vegemite 400g 1995 = $2.95 to $3.50 npow $8.00. Cars little higher electronics cheaper Petrol = 0.55 to 0.65 now $1.50. Dole not up. Pension not up "starving" mc macca, 06/08/2008 08:28:36 PM
ExposedSoon you will be exposed Unem??p??yI?er. And get your dole cut off, actually the way inflation is going, the dole wont even be enough to buy a pack of matches. When are you going to start cleaning car windows. from MC Macca, 06/08/2008 08:33:58 PM
Spot on old beanMy point precisely Macca dear chap. How can I buy a nice Hunter Valley dry white or fill up the Beemer these days? Kevin R better give me a bloody pay rise. UnemployedITer, 06/08/2008 09:29:03 PM
Professor MaccaMacca great economicals professor. Lesson in central price index statistic highly interesting. Great Leopard Great Leopard, 06/09/2008 12:43:07 AM
Pay Rise enough to keep up?Macca, Interesting stats you have there about prices for everyday products - now vs. 1995. Is there a web site that could expand on this? Sure, some people may have hit the Kevin '07-targeted "magic" $150k - but are they all swimming in it? I used to think that a couple in IT were rich. Usually it's one or the other in IT and are doing OK - but with two IT-incomes you can eat at Grossi every day. You know all the acronyms DINK, SITCOM, etc, and how they relate to lifestyles. However, my lifestyle (that I chose) is not so flash despite the aggreeable income. I am definitely on a Single Income, THREE Children and an *Opressive* Mortgage. Swimming in it? Neck deep. - Mortgage stressed ... Laz, 06/10/2008 05:41:23 PM
now vs 1995Laz, There is heaps also its from my experience, Im old enough to remenber paying for petrol in the 1990's. and to remenber housing prices and supermarket proces as well. MC macca, 06/11/2008 01:39:39 PM
large kink in the graphTo all, If you drew a chart on cost of living, the kink in the graph is at year 1996 to 1998. It then had a severe trend on the upper. Liberal policy to screw us all. MC macca, 06/11/2008 01:42:41 PM
LecturersProfessor Macca now politics science major lecturers. Incorrects about John Howard policy. Real story Kevin Rudds hire butlers..... very trouble for Aus. Great Leopard Midnight coder Great Leopard, 06/12/2008 12:41:06 AM
RubbishUtter rubbish! If any it has not improved at all. IT Worker, 06/12/2008 12:48:58 PM
Like Woman's Weekly articlesIt does not have to be true!! All that is necessary is that some IT writer is required to submit another dumb article. You may as well say that some "select gurus" have had their salary doubled every year for the last 4 years, because these people are in such short supply. And the skillset in question? Sorry that's confidential, I cannot tell everyone, otherwise you would all want to compete for these high paying roles. But commoenrs like you are not wanted or needed. Cheers. Joe, 06/12/2008 12:59:23 PM
Kevins butlers>Kevin Rudds hire butlers I hope they're Indians on 457 visas :-) Gloomyshoes, 06/12/2008 01:43:37 PM
Post a comment
Comments are added by users without any intervention by Brainbox. Brainbox does not take any responsibility for anything that appears here. Go to our Terms & Conditions for full details.
|