Recruiting and staffing specialist Robert Half Technology released its annual guide to U.S. tech salaries, which finds wireless networking engineers are in line for the biggest pay hike.
Ann Bednarz By Ann Bednarz
Network World
IT salaries are on the rise, one sign of a continuingly competitive hiring environment.
Skilled and experienced IT pros often receive multiple offers, even if they’re not actively job hunting, according to Robert Half Technology’s 2016 Salary Guide. “And the employment offers are fiercely competitive: Above-market pay and other attractive financial incentives are common, and offers may include stock options, flexible work schedules and other perks,” according to the recruiting and staffing specialist.
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As a result, IT workers can expect bigger pay bumps than many other professionals are getting. Across all fields, U.S. starting salaries for professional occupations are projected to increase 4.1% in 2016. The largest expected gains are in tech – where starting salaries for newly hired IT workers are forecast to climb 5.3%.
While 5.3% is the average, some tech pros can expect even bigger gains. Wireless networking engineers, for example, will see a 9.7% increase in starting pay – the highest projected raise among all the positions included in Robert Half’s annual guide to U.S. tech salaries. Big data engineers, data scientists, and mobile applications developers are also in line to receive above-average pay gains. (Note: only base salaries are calculated; totals don’t include bonuses, perks or other compensation elements.)
The 20 positions expected to see the largest salary gains, percentage-wise, between 2015 and 2016 are:
1. Wireless network engineer
2015 salary range: $99,000-$137,500
2016 salary range: $108,750-$150,750
9.7% increase
2. Big data engineer
2015 salary range: $119,250-$168,250
2016 salary range: $129,500-$183,500
8.9% increase
3. Data scientist
2015 salary range: $103,000-$138,250
2016 salary range: $109,000-$153,750
8.9% increase
4. Mobile applications developer
2015 salary range: $107,500-$161,500
2016 salary range: $115,250-$175,750
8.2% increase
5. Data security analyst
2015 salary range: $106,250-$149,000
2016 salary range: $113,500-$160,000
7.1% increase
6. Chief security officer
2015 salary range: $134,250-$204,750
2016 salary range: $140,250-$222,500
7.0% increase
7. Developer/programmer analyst
2015 salary range: $74,250-$129,000
2016 salary range: $80,000-$137,000
6.8% increase
8. Lead applications developer
2015 salary range: $106,250-$148,250
2016 salary range: $110,750-$160,750
6.7% increase
9. Network security engineer
2015 salary range: $105,000-$141,500
2016 salary range: $110,250-$152,750
6.7% increase
10. Senior web developer
2015 salary range: $104,500-$144,250
2016 salary range: $111,250-$154,000
6.6% increase
11. Software engineer
2015 salary range: $96,000-$147,250
2016 salary range: $103,000-$156,250
6.6% increase
12. Software developer
2015 salary range: $85,500-$136,250
2016 salary range: $91,000-$145,250
6.5% increase
13. Data architect
2015 salary range: $119,750-$164,750
2016 salary range: $127,250-$175,500
6.4% increase
14. Applications architect
2015 salary range: $115,750-$159,500
2016 salary range: $121,250-$171,750
6.4% increase
15. Web developer
2015 salary range: $73,500-$122,000
2016 salary range: $78,500-$129,500
6.4% increase
16. Network administrator
2015 salary range: $71,250-$105,750
2016 salary range: $76,250-$112,000
6.4% increase
17. Information systems security manager
2015 salary range: $122,250-$171,250
2016 salary range: $129,750-$182,000
6.2% increase
18. Business intelligence analyst
2015 salary range: $108,500-$153,000
2016 salary range: $113,750-$164,000
6.2% increase
19. Data modeler
2015 salary range: $101,750-$145,250
2015 salary range: $106,750-$155,500
6.2% increase
20. Help desk tier 3
2015 salary range: $55,250-$74,000
2015 salary range: $59,500-$77,750
6.2% increase
This story, “20 IT jobs slated for biggest raises next year” was originally published by Network World.
Ann Bednarz
Ann Bednarz — Assistant Managing Editor, Features
Ann Bednarz covers IT careers, outsourcing and Internet culture for Network World. Follow Ann on Twitter at @annbednarz and reach her via email at abednarz@nww.com.